Columbia  etlntt)er^ttp 

THE  LIBRARIES 


Bequest  of 

Frederic  Bancroft 

1860-1945 


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A   MEMOIR 


OF    THE 


EE V.  EICHAED  SLUYTER, 


LATE  PASTOR  OF  THE  REF.  PROT.  DUTCH  CHURCH  OF 
CLAVERACK,  N.  Y. 


By   R.   ORMISTON  CURRIE. 


^<•ITH 


AN   INTRODUCTION, 


Br  THE  Rev.  PHILIP   MILLEDOLER,  D.  D. 

LA.TE   PRESIDENT  OF  RUTGERS   COLLEGE,   AND   PROFESSOR  OF  DIDACTIC 

AND  POLEMIC    THEOLOGY  IN   THB  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 

OF  THE  REF.  PROT.   DUTCH  CHURCH. 


N  E  W  -  Y  O  R  K  : 

JOHN  MOFFET,  194  WEST  BROADWAY. 
184  6. 


A 


^^ 


Van  Norden  &  Amerman,  Printers, 
No.  60  William- Street,  N.  Y. 


en 

I 
I>- 

S  THIS  MEMOIR 

la 

RESPECTFULLY     INSCRIBED 

I 

TO   THE 

PASTOR  AND  CONSISTORY 


Heformcb  Protestant  Slutcl)  €l)tjr€() 

OF 

C  L  A  V  E  R  A  C  K., 

BY 

THE   AUTHOR, 


P  R  E  F  A  C  E  , 


The  accompanying  Memoir  of  the  Rev. 
Richard  Sluyter  was  prepared  at  the  request 
of  his  widow,  and  with  the  approbation  of  some 
of  his  personal  friends.  In  its  structure  it  is 
historical  to  an  extent  which  perhaps  may  be 
unusual,  but  this  was  unavoidable.  The  pau- 
city of  materials  out  of  which  to  construct  it 
was  such,  that  it  either  had  to  take  this  form  or 
to  remain  unwritten.  To  some,  however,  this 
will  be  no  objection,  especially  as,  in  our  day, 
no  inconsiderable  degree  of  attention  is  given 
to  historical  inquiries. 

The  introductory  essay,  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
MiLLEDOLER,  will  not  fail  to  receive  a  careful 
perusal.  Its  style,  its  matter,  and  the  spirit 
which  it  breathes,  render  it  well  deserving  of 
attention,  and  cannot  fail  to  suggest  matter  for 
profitable  reflection  and  judicious  action  in  the 
settlement  of  pastors.  It  contains  the  lessons 
of  wisdom;  of  age,  and  of  long  experience  in 
1* 


VI  PREFACE. 

positions  which    give   the  venerable  M^riter  a 
claim  to  speak  with  some  degree  of  authority. 

The  delay  in  the  publication  of  the  Memoir 
until  this  date,  is  the  result  of  circumstances 
which  the  author  could  not  control.  He  does 
not,  however,  regret  it,  inasmuch  as  he  believes 
that  the  mellowing  influence  of  time  will  pre- 
pare the  minds  of  the  people  among  whom  Mr. 
Sluyter  lived,  and  laboured,  and  died,  better  to 
appreciate  what  is  said  concerning  him.  And 
though  the  memoir  was  written  with  a  special 
reference  to  its  circulation  among  them,  yet  it 
is  possible  that  it  may  fall  into  the  hands  of 
some  others,  in  whose  minds  misccmceptions 
exist  as  it  regards  the  character,  attainments, 
and  usefulness  of  its  subject.  These,  as  being 
in  part  the  result  of  information  indirectly  re- 
ceived, and  in  part  of  the  discolourings  impart- 
ed to  it  by  the  mediums  through  which  it  was 
communicated,  it  is  desirable  to  remove;  and 
the  hope  is  indulged,  that  at  least  an  approx- 
imation  toward  it  has  been  made. 

New  Utrecht,  L.  J.,  Scpteinher,  1846. 


INTRODUCTION 


Hev.  Robert  O.  Currie  : 

Hev.  and  dear  Sh; 

Having  requested  from  me  a  prefix  to 
your  Biography  of  the  Rev.  Richard  Sluyter,  I 
send  you  herewith  some  thoughts  on  the  Gospel 
Ministry,  to  be  used,  modified,  or  rejected,  at 
your  pleasure.  That  God  may  greatly  bless 
you  in  your  ministry,  and  have  you  and  yours 
now  and  always  under  the  safeguard  of  his 
,most  holy  keeping,  is  the  prayer  of  your  friend 
and  elder  brother  in  the  Lord, 

Ph.  Milledoler. 

New-York,  Oct.21,1845. 

The  lives  of  useful  men  is  a  department  of 
literature  which  has  been  cultivated  in  all  na- 
tions and  ages.  The  biography  of  individuals 
is  indeed  so  intimately  connected  with  general 
history  as  to  be  inseparable  from  it.  God  or- 
dinarily works  by  means.     Those  great  events, 


VlU  INTRODUCTION'. 

therefore,  which  have  agitated,  and  in  many 
instances  changed  the  face  of  communities, 
nations,  or  the  world,  have  not  occurred  with- 
out human  instrumentality  ;  and  we  should 
have  a  very  imperfect  view  indeed  of  the 
changes  themselves,  if  we  knew  nothing  of  the 
agents  by  whom  they  were  accomplished. 

In  profane  history,  we  have  not  only  a  record 
of  events,  but  also  of  artists,  sages,  statesmen 
and  warriors,  who  were  prominently  distin- 
guished in  them,  and  whose  memories,  on  that 
account,  have  been  embalmed  by  the  world. 
In  like  manner,  in  the  history  of  the  Church, 
we  have  patriarchs  and  prophets,  apostles  and 
martyrs,  reformers  and  pastors,  who,  by  their 
writings,  missionary  labours,  piety,  eloquence 
and  faithfulness,  have  eminently  subserved  the 
cause  of  Christ,  and  the  best  interests  of  theii- 
fellow  men.  With  these  stars,  tlie  whole  firm- 
ament of  the  church  is  lighted  up ;  or,  to 
change  the  figure,  we  have  an  extended  gallery 
of  portraits,  the  likenesses  of  men  who  in  their 
day  were  signally  owned  and  blessed.  On- 
these  the  eye  fastens  with  more  than  ordinary 
interest ;  and  whilst  we  give  glory  to  God  for 
the  splendid  gifts  with  which  they  were  invest- 
ed, we  are  also  powerfully  excited  to  emulate 


INTROnUCTfON.  IX 

their  diligence,  their  faith,  their  zeal,  and  deeds 
of  noble  bearing. 

There  is,  however,  an  order  of  men  in  the 
Christian  Church,  whose  names  have  seldom 
been  celebrated,  either  in  historical  records 
or  the  minstrel's  song.  I  allude  to  that  whole 
class  of  retiring  but  faithful  servants  of  God, 
who,  seeking  honour  of  God  rather  than  men, 
have  produced  much  fruit  of  personal  holiness, 
and  have  largely  contributed  to  the  glory  of 
Christ  and  the  extension  of  his  kingdom. 
Many  of  these,  from  an  humble  opinion  of 
themselves,  and  a  naturally  unobtrusive  dispo- 
sition, have  shrunk  from,  rather  than  courted, 
popular  applause  ;  whilst  others,  from  their 
local  situation,  like  the  sweet  mountain  flower, 
have  imparted  their  beauty  and  their  fragrance 
within  a  very  limited  field  of  observation. 
Men  like  these,  more  especially  in  the  ministry, 
though  undervalued  by  the  world,  and  unknown 
to  fame,  are,  nevertheless,  our  productive 
working  men,  and  constitute,  in  fact,  the  T^one 
and  muscle  of  the  Church.  To  form  ministers 
of  this  description  may  be  considered  a  very 
light  matter  ;  but  is  it  so  in  reality  ?  In  send- 
inor  out  missionaries  to  the  heathen,  for  exam- 
pie,  it  has  been  thought  that  inferior  qualifica- 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

tions  would  suffice.  Experience,  however,  has 
long  since  demonstrated,  that  this  work  calls 
for  literary  and  spiritual  SKicomplishments  of  a 
very  high  order.  The  same  observation  will 
apply  to  many  of  our  country  parislies  and 
churches.  There  are  few  such  which  have  not 
their  literary  men.  These,  if  Christians,  have 
a  right  to  expect,  in  their  spiritual  guides,  a 
sound  mind,  connected  with  piety  and  learning. 
Even  infidels,  who  are  sometimes  unhappily 
found  in  these  associations,  require  consistency  : 
a  man,  therefore,  without  learning  and  good 
common  sense,  will  be  pitied  ;  and,  without 
piety,  will  be  despised.  Of  the  unlearned,  there 
are  not  only  men  of  piety,  who  will  expect 
to  find  a  large  share  of  it  in  their  pastor,  but 
also  men  of  strong  minds,  who  if  they  cannot 
learnedly  criticise  his  productions,  yet  have 
an  intuitive  perception  of  their  weakness  or 
strength.  This  being  the  case,  an  acceptable 
pastor  in  town  or  village  can  be  no  ordinary 
man.  If  as  a  sacred  orator — a  counsellor  of  the 
Church — a  man  of  God,  and  an  ambassador  of 
Christ,  he  must  have  weight  ;  he  must  also 
have  a  corresponding  weight  of  character.  To 
say,  then,  of  any  man,  that  he  has  faithfully 
served,  and  fur  many  years,  that  flock  of  Jesus 


INTRODUCTION.  XI 

Christ  over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  had  made 
him  overseer — that  he  has  during  all  that  time 
laboured  among  them  both  in  and  out  of  sea- 
son— that  he  has  not  only  done  this  w^ithout 
just  reproach,  but  also  with  many  seals  to  his 
ministry — and  that  he  retained  to  the  last  the 
love  and  confidence  of  his  people — is  to  speak 
volumes  in  his  praise. 

Such,  from  the  description  of  him  in  the  Me- 
moir which  follows,  must  have  been  the  life  of 
the  Rev.  Richard  Sluyter.  He  is  described  in 
the  house  of  God,  distributing  the  Bread  of 
Life  to  his  people  ;  in  the  prayer  meeting,  that 
pulse  which  so  truly  indicates  the  weakness  or 
strength,  life  or  death  spiritual  of  Christian 
associations  ;  among  the  lambs  of  his  flock> 
instructing  them  in  their  most  holy  faith  ;  and 
in  the  chambers  of  the  sick,  the  dying,  or  be- 
reaved, directing,  soothing,  comforting.  And 
who  does  not  see,  in  all  this,  the  importance  of 
the  servant,  in  the  very  nature,  and  manner, 
and  glory  of  his  work  1 

Such  indeed  is  the  life  and  character  of  many 
a  retiring  servant  of  God,  little  known,  and  less 
regarded  by  the  world,  but  who  nevertheless 
stands  hig;h  in  the  esteem  of  Him  who  searches 
the  heart — is  the  Fountain  of  honour — and  will 


Xll  INTRODUCTION. 

eventually  give  to  every  one  according  to  his 
work. 

It  is  not  very  easy,  on  slight  acquaintance,  to 
form  a  proper  estimate  of  ministerial  worth. 
Some  minds  are  carried  away  by  pretension  ; 
others  by  talents  more  showy  than  solid — the 
mere  tinsel,  after  all,  of  what  they  are  supposed 
to  represent.  In  this  matter,  nothing  can  be 
more  true  than  the  well-known  proverb,  "All 
is  not  ffold  that  or]itters." 

We  do  not  see  why  men  may  not  write  or 
speak  as  fluently  on  truth  as  on  fiction,  and  more 
especially  on  truth  expanding  and  soaring 
like  that  of  Scripture,  from  first  elements  to 
inimitable  sublimity.  Nor  do  we  see  why  they 
may  not  speak  or  write  of  Christian  expe- 
rience, not  their  own,  indeed,  but  gathered  from 
that  of  others.  If  idolatrous  Rome  could  boast 
of  herFabricius — Athens  of  her  Aristides — and 
Judea  of  her  pharisees — it  would  be  strano^e 
if  men  were  not  found  in  the  Christian  Church, 
who,  though  destitute  of  vital  piety,  should  be 
their  compeers  in  external  morality. 

The  practised  eye  itself  is  sometimes  de- 
ceived by  an  admirable  likeness.  Notwith- 
standing these  appearances,  however,  there  is 
really  an  immeasurable  distance  between  the 


INTRODUCTION.  Xlll 

true  and  the  folse,  in  men  as  well  as  things, 
to  say  nothing  of  those  who,  under  religious 
pretexts  have  rioted  in  human  misery  ;  or,  of 
those  horrid  shapes  which  poets  feign  to  have 
stood  at  the  entrance  of  Elysium,  to  disgust, 
terrify,  or  drive  back  those  who  would  enter 
the  abodes  of  the  blessed.  We  shall  confine  our 
remarks  to  such,  and  such  only,  as,  uncalled  of 
God,  have  ventured  upon  the  holy  ministry. 

Of  these  we  observe,  first  of  all,  and  that  on 
scriptural  authority,  that  it  must  be  a  cheerless 
work  to  preach  an  unknown  Saviour.  But  if 
it  be  true,  as  it  certainly  is,  that  God  has  put 
enmity  between  the  seed  of  the  woman  and  the 
serpent — that  the  natural  man  comprehends 
not  the  things  of  the  Spirit — and  that  the  carnal 
mind  is  enmity  to  God — will  it  not  inevitably 
follow,  that  such  office-bearers  can  never  be  a 
blessing,  and  will  ever  be  injurious  to  the  house 
of  God  ?  They  are  neither  true  soldiers  in  the 
camp,  nor  faithful  defenders  of  the  citadel  of 
God. 

God  may  indeed  honour  his  own  word, 
though  it  fall  from  the  lips  of  a  perjured  pro- 
phet ;  but  this  is  not  his  ordinary  course  of 
working.  On  the  contrary,  we  believe,  on  tes- 
timony of  the  Church,  that  the  labours  of  un- 


xWr  INTRODUCTION. 

godly  ministers  are  seldom,  if  ever,  attended 
with  success.  We  speak  not  now  of  loud  pro- 
fessions, laboured  imitations,  or  doubtful  tri- 
umphs, but  of  true  and  actual  success. 

By  adding  to,  or  taking  from  the  word  of 
God — falsely  accusing,  or  otherwise  persecuting 
his  people — deceitfully  handling  the  word  of 
God,  and  giving  rise  to  all  manner  of  re- 
proach— they  become  either  stumbling-blocks 
or  snares  to  the  souls  of  men  ;  and  the  Holy 
One  may  well  say,  in  rebuke  of  their  pseudo 
services,  "  Who  hath  required  this  at  your 
hands  r' 

If  the  view  we  have  thus  far  taken,  then,  be 
correct,  it  will  follow  :  That  great  vigilance 
should  be  exercised  by  the  Church  in  the  ad- 
mission  of  men  to  the  sacred  office  ;  that  great 
care  should  be  taken  by  aspirants  themselves 
to  that  office,  that  they  may  not  enter  it  uncalled 
of  God;  and  that  great  circumspection  should 
be  used  by  vacant  congregations  in  the  settle- 
ment of  their  bishops.  Considering  it  in  its 
consequences  to  themselves  and  to  posterity, 
there  is  no  public  act  they  can  perform,  which 
requires  more  serious  deliberation,  or  more 
fervent  prayer.  But  if  falsehood  in  some  in- 
stances so  resembles  truth,  how  shall  they  be 


INTRODUCTION.  XV 

distinguished  ?  Our  Lord  himself  answers  that 
question,  where  he  says,  "  By  their  fruits  ye 
shall  know  them." 

There  is  something  in  truth  itself  more 
easily  felt  than  described.  If  called  to  define 
it,  we  can  only  say,  it  is  a  secret,  mysterious^ 
and  yet  powerful  influence  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
commending  the  truth,  as  well  as  him  who 
delivers  it,  to  the  hearts  and  consciences  of 
men.  This  peculiarity,  with  special  and  united 
prayer  for  direction,  careful  inquiry,  and  due 
reflection,  are  landmarks  which  should  never 
be  lost  sight  of  in  the  settlement  of  a  minister. 

On  a  review  of  the  whole  ground,  we  con- 
elude  : — That  that  pastor  who  faithfully  preach- 
es the  word  of  God,  and  administers  its  sacra- 
ments— gives  to  all  and  each  their  portion  in 
due  season — carefully  and  diligently  plies  his- 
work  with  earnest  desire  of  success — fearlessly 
and  impartially  maintains  scriptural  discipline 
in  the  house  of  God,  and  adorns  the  doctrine 
of  God  his  Saviour  by  an  exemplary  life,  is  a 
servant  worthy  of  all  human  confidence  and 
honour — a  servant  that  God  on  eaith  will  own 
and  bless,  and  eventually  and  most  assuredly 
crown  with  everlasting  glory. 


"m 


M  E  M  O  I  R 


REV.  RICHARD  SLDYTERr 


CHAPTER  I. 

Birth  of  Mr.  Sluyter — Account  of  his  family — Resides  with  an  elder 
brother — His  aunt's  testimony  concerning  him — His  fondness  of 
music — His  efforts  as  a  minister  to  improve  sacred  music— Intro- 
duces singing  in  the  English  language  into  the  Lutheran  Church, 
Sandlake — Teaches  school  at  Poisten  Kill  and  Greenbush— Studies 
medinine— Is  converted,  and  joins  the  Church — Gives  up  the  study 
of  medicine — Studies  for  the  ministry — Pursues  classical  studies 
under  the  Rev.  Mr.  Zabrisivie — Enters  Fairfield  Academy — Enters 
t'he  Theological  Seminary — Resumes  school  teaching — Studies 
Hebrew  under  Rev.  Dr.  Banks — His  opinion  of  his  scholarship — 
His  views  in  desiring  to  preach  the  Gospel — Licensed  to  preach— 
Summary. 

The  R.ev.  Richard  Sluyter  was  born 
at  Nassau,  N.  Y.,  on  the  third  of  Septem- 
ber, 1787,  and  was  the  eleventh  son  of  his 
father,  WiUiam  Sluyter,  by  his  second 
wife,  Mary  Ray.  On  the  maternal  side, 
his  family  was  not  only  highly  respectable,. 
2* 


IS  MEMOIR  OF 

but  also  somewhat  distinguished  for  talents. 
His  uncle,  William  Ray,  was  a  man  of 
considerable  note  in  the  literary  world. 
Some  of  his  productions,  both  in  prose  and 
verse,  are  yet  extant,  in  *'  The  Miscella- 
neous Register,"  a  work  which  he  edited 
at  Geneva,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Sluyter's  own  ac- 
count of  his  parentage,  drawn  up  some 
years  since,  is  as  follows  :  ^'  My  parent- 
age is  respectable,  though  not  distinguish- 
ed ;  and  will  probably  bear  as  critical  an 
investigation,  in  point  of  pedigree,  back 
even  *  to  the  land  of  our  fathers'  sepul- 
chres,' as  almost  a.ny,  in  the  light  of  plain 
honesty  and  worth."  His  father  once 
possessed  a  handsome  estate,  and  settled 
his  elder  sons  upon  valuable  farms.  Sub- 
sequently, however,  but  through  no  fault 
of  his  own,  his  property  designed  especial- 
ly for  his  3^ounger  children  was  much  re- 
duced. This  placed  them  in  early  life  in 
circumstances  of  dependance,  but  not  of 
want,  and  threw  them  m.ainly  upon  their 
own  resources  to  make  their  way  in  the 
the  world. 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER*  19 

At  the  age  of  nine  years,  Richard,  the 
subject  of  this  memoir,  went  to  reside  with 
an  elder  brother,  at  Sandlake,  whose  wife 
testifies  of  him  :  *'  He  was  the  most  dutiful 
boy  I  ever  knew  ;  moral,  kind-hearted, 
naturally  timid,  and  passionately  fond  of 
music,  vocal  and  instrumental."  His  na- 
tural timidity  he  never  lost,  nor  did  his 
fondness  for  music  ever  in  the  least  degree 
diminish.  After  he  was  inducted  into  the 
ministry,  the  subject  of  psalmody  engaged 
his  attention,  and  his  efforts  were  con- 
stantly directed  to  the  improvement  of  this 
delightful  part  of  worship.  He  omitted 
no  opportunity  to  impress  upon  the  youth 
of  his  charge  the  importance  of  giving 
early  and  particular  heed  to  it.  Indeed, 
to  induce  them  to  do  this,  he  expended 
much  time  and  money. 

Mr.  Sluyter  continued  with  his  brother 
at  Sandlake  until  he  was  eighteen  years 
old,  and  during  this  time  v/as  instrumental 
in  introducino^  sino-lns;  in  the  En^^lish  Ian- 
guage  into  the  Lutheran  church  of  that 
place.    He  was  also  there  awhile  engaged 


20  MEMOIR  OF 

in  teaching  school.  This  occupation  he 
also  followed  at  Poisten  Kill,  and  Green- 
bush.  At  this  latter  place,  prior  to  his 
resuming  teaching,  he  pursued  for  one 
year  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr* 
Downs.  About  this  time  he  was  made  the 
subject  of  renewing  grace,  and  was  re- 
ceived into  the  communion  of  the  Reform- 
ed Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  Greenbush, 
then  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Rev. 
John  L.  Zabriskie.  Nothing  is  known  of 
his  exercises  before  and  after  his  conver- 
sion, beyond  what  is  expressed  in  the 
change  which  ensued  in  his  pursuits.  He 
gave  up  the  study  of  medicine,. believing 
(and  events  have  fully  justified  his  conclu- 
sion) that  he  was  called  of  God  to  preach 
the  Gospel.  In  this  belief  he  was  con- 
firmed by  his  pastor's  counsels,  backed  as 
they  were  by  efforts  to  enable  him  by 
teaching  to  procure  the  funds  necessary  to 
enter  upon  a  course  of  study  preparatory 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  *'  Being  in- 
digent," says  that  pastor,  "  and  still  de- 
sirous to  receive  an  education,  he  availed 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  21 

himself  of  every  laudable  means  to  obtain 
funds.  He  taught  school ;  and  being  a 
popular  teacher,  the  school,  from  small 
and  unpromising  beginnings,  increased  to 
sixty  or  seventy  scholars."  While  teach- 
ing at  Greenbush,  **  if  he  did  not  com- 
mence, he  certainly  prosecuted  the  study 
of  Latin  and  Greek  under  the  direction'* 
of  his  pastor.  Subsequently,  he  entered 
Fairfield  Academy,  Herkimer  county,  N. 
Y.,  for  the  purpose  of  pursuing  classical 
studies  ;  and  while  there,  it  is  certified 
by  the  Principal,  that  he  sustained  "  a 
high  character  for  scholarship  and  good 
conduct."  He  left  this  institution,  A.  D. 
1811,  and  about  this  time  wrote  to  the  late 
venerable  Professor  Livingston  respecting 
his  admission  into  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary of  our  Church,  and  referred  him,  for 
any  additional  information  which  he  might 
desire,  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Zabriskie,  then 
pastor  of  the  church  of  Millstone,  N.  J. 
In  his  reply,  Dr.  Livingston  acknowledges 
ihe  receipt  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  Zabriskie, 
and  adds:  "  In  this  he  expresses  his  sen- 


22  MEMOIR  OF 

timents  so  decidedly  in  behalf  of  yourself^ 
that  I  do  not  hesitate  one  moment  to  en~ 
courage  you  in  the  object  of  your  wishes, 
and  to  promise  you  that  I  will  most  gladly 
assist  you  to  the  utmost  of.  my  power  in 
prosecuting  3^our  theological  studios." 

At  New-Brunswick,  through  the  agency 
of  his  old  pastor  and  unwavering  friend, 
the  way  was  prepared  for  Mr.  Sluyter  to 
resume  teaching,  as  a  means  of  support. 
It  is  proper,  however,  here  to  remark, 
that  he  was  not  left  entirely  to  his  own 
resources  in  the  prosecution  of  study. 
His  brother,  who  seems  to  have  been 
warmly  attached  to  him,  and  anxious  for 
his  success,  supplied  him  in  part  with 
funds  for  this  purpose. 

The  study  of  Hebrew  Mr.  Sluyter  pur- 
sued with  diligence,  during  the  summers- 
of  1813  and  1814,  under  Dr.  Banks,  at 
Florida,  N.  Y.,  who  in  his  day  was  said  to 
be  one  of  the  best  Hebrew  scholars  in  the 
country.  In  the  study  of  Hebrew,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Kissam  says,  *'  he  became  quite 
a  proficient,  and  received  testimonials  to- 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  23 

that  effect  from  his  teacher."  He  also 
adds,  that  "  Dr.  B.  thought  highly  of  him 
as  a  general  scholar,  and  of  his  future 
prospects  in  the  Church."  Of  his  charac- 
ter for  piety  while  at  Florida,  he  thus 
speaks  :  "  At  Florida,  I  became  intimately 
acquainted  with  Mr.  Sluyter,  and  the  more 
I  knew  of  him,  the  more  I  loved  him. 
We  were  room-mates,  and  sweet  and  re- 
freshinsf  were  the  dailv  devotions  in  which 
he  led.  His  piety  w^as  ardent,  though 
modest,  forming  him  to  a  proper  temper 
and  proper  conduct  toward  God  and  his 
fellow  creatures.  Truth  had  evidently 
sanctified  his  heart  agreeably  to  our  Lord's 
prayer  :  *  Sanctify  them  through  thy 
truth  ;  thy  w^ord  is  truth.'  " 

With  respect  to  Mr.  Sluyter's  views  in 
wishing  to  preach  the  Gospel,  we  know 
but  little.  He  has  left  nothing  in  writing 
by  which  a  knowledge  of  them  can  be 
obtained.  The  testimony,  however,  of 
Messrs.  Zabriskie  and  Kissam,  in  relation 
to  this  matter,  is  satisfactory  ;  especially 
as,  in  the  whole  course  of"  his  ministry,  he 


S4  ,^^-        MEMOIR  OF 

seems  to  have  been  influenced  by  the  con- 
siderations which  they  say  governed  him, 
in  desiring  *'  the  office  of  a  bishop."  Says 
the  former — "  He  desired  to  obtain  an 
education,  that  he  might  enter  into  the 
service  of  the  sanctuary,  and  bear  the 
messages  of  peace  and  reconcihation  to  a 
perishing  world.  This  was  the  object  of 
his  ardent  desire,  and  unremitting  exer- 
tions." The  latter  writes  :  "  He  had  not 
himself  high  expectations,  and  often  said 
he  should  be  satisfied  to  labour  wherever 
his  Master  might  place  him.  In  antici- 
pating those  high  and  holy  services  in 
w^iich  for  years  he  was  so  sincerely  and 
so  happily  engaged,  the  prayer  of  Moses 
when  ordered  to  depart  with  his  people  to 
the  land  of  promise  often  escaped  his  lips  : 
*  If  thy  presence  go  not  with  me,  carry  us 
not  up  hence.'  That  presence  did  accom- 
pany him  (though  with  intervening  clouds) 
to  the  closing  scene  of  life,  and  in  its  ful- 
ness and  glory  he  is  now  perfectly  happy." 
But  not  to  anticipate  what  may  be  more 
properly  said  hereafter,  it  may  be  ob- 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  25 

served,  that  Mr*  Sluyter  continued  during 
the  prescribed  terra  of  study  in  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary  at  Nev/-Brunswick;  was 
highly  e-steemed  by  the  venerable  Pro- 
fessor Livingston  ;  and  on  being  furnished 
by  him  with  the  usual  certificate,  was 
admitted  to  examination  before  the  Classis 
of  New-Brunswick,  on  the  ISth  of  May, 
1815,  and  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel. 

In  view  of  what  has  now  been  stated,  it 
is  evident  that  Mr.  Sluyter's  piety  was 
sincere  and  ardent;  that  his  natural  abili- 
ties and  literary  acquirements  were  not 
only  highly  respectable,  but  also  such  as 
to  give  rise  to  the  expectations  which  many 
indulged  respecting  his  prospective  use- 
fulness in  the  Church  ;  that  his  design  in 
wishing  to  be  admitted  to  the  ministry 
was  not  to  make  himself  a  name,  but  to 
exalt  and  honour  his  Redeemer,  and  to  be 
instrumental  in  savins^  souls  :  that  though 
for  lack  of  means  he  had  not  a  little  diffi- 
culty to  encounter,  in  sustaining  himself  in 
the  prosecution  of  study,  yet  so  intent  was 
he  upon  obeying  what  he  believed  to  be  a 
«    3 


2G  MEMOIR. 

call  of  God  to  preach  the  Gospel,  that  it 
did  not  move  him  from  his  purpose  to  go 
forward.  The  funds  which  a  kind-hearted 
brother  could  not  supply,  he  procured  by 
his  own  exertions. 


CHAPTER  II. 


t»reaches  as  a  Candidate  in  the  church  of  Claverack— Called  as  the 
colleague  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gebhard— Reasons  lor  hesitating  to 
accept  the  call— Terras  of  the  call— preaches  in  Ghent— Condensed 
view  of  his  field  of  labour— Obstacles  existing  in  it. 


After  receiving  from  the  Classis  of 
New-Brunswick  a  commission  to  preach, 
among  other  churches  which  Mr.  Sluyter 
visited  with  a  view  to  a  settlement,  was 
that  of  Claverack,  N.  Y.  This  church 
was  then  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  the 
Hev.  John  G.  Gebhard.  He  was  succes- 
sor to  the  Rev.  Johannes  Casparus  Fryen- 
moet,*  was  settled  over  the  church,  A.  D. 
1770,  and  continued  its  sole  pastor  up  to 


*  From  the  records  of  the  church  of  Claverack  having 
been  made  evidently  by  a  variety  of  persons  prior  to  the 
settlement  over  it  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fryenmoet,  it  is  proba- 
ble that  he  was  its  first  stated  pastor.  Be  this,  however, 
as  it  may,  either  as  pastor  or  as  a  stated  supply,  the 
church,  as  its  records  show,  had  his  services  for  the  space 
of  fourteen  j'ears,  or  from  1756  to  1770. 


28  MEMOIR  OF 

November,  IS  15,  and,  conjointly  with  Mr. 
Sluyter,  until  near  the  time  of  his  decease, 
a  period  of  about  forty-nine  years.  He 
preached  alternately  in  the  High  and  Low 
Dutch  languages  ;  but  as  in  the  schools 
the  English  language  had  supplanted 
these,  they  gradually  ceased  to  be  well 
understood.  As  a  consequence,  there  was 
a  growing  conviction  throughout  the  con- 
gregation that  EngUsh  preaching  was  re- 
quired. Happily  this  was  participated  in 
by  the  venerable  Gebhard,  and  he  cor- 
dially cooperated  with  the  Consistory  in 
their  efforts  to  settle  a  colleague  whose 
ministrations  should  be  performed  in  that 
language.  Accordingly,  as  the  president 
of  Consistory,  he  formally  invited  Mr. 
Slu3-ter  to  preach  in  the  church  of  Cla- 
verack,  in  September,  1815  ;  and,  as  an 
inducement  for  him  to  accept  the  invita- 
tion, added,  "  It  may  prove  to  be  an  ad- 
vantage to  you  finally." 

At  the  time  designated,  he  preached, 
and  wilh  great  acceptance,  as  appears 
from  numerous  letters  which  were  subse- 


REV.  RICHAUD  SLUYTER.  29 

quently  addressed  to  him  by  the  most  in- 
telh'gent,  active,  and  influential  persons  in 
the  church.  The  result  was,  an  imme- 
diate effort  by  the  Consistory  toward  call- 
ing him  as  the  colleague  of  their  aged 
pastor.  About  the  same  time,  the  united 
churches  of  Bethlehem  and  Coeymans 
were  endeavouring  to  secure  his  services. 
This  was  one  impediment  in  the  way  of 
the  Consistory  of  the  church  of  Claverack, 
when  they  made  to  him  overtures  to  serve 
them  in  the  Gospel.  Another  and  a  more 
formidable  one  was  found  in  the  fact,  that 
their  church,  though  nominally  belonging  to 
the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  denomina- 
tion, was  really  independent.  Mr.  vSluyter 
was  unwiUing  to  do  any  thing  toward  per- 
petuating its  independency  ;  and  until, 
therefore,  he  received  formally  from  the 
Consistory  the  assurance  of  their  willing- 
ness to  come  under  the  care  of  the  Classis 
of  Rensselaer,  he  did  not  accept  their  call. 
This  was  conveyed  to  him  in  a  letter  from 
the  Rev.  Mr,  Gebhard,  in  which  he  saysy 
"  All  efforts  which  hitherto  have  beer> 
3* 


30  MEMOIR  OF 

made  to  brino-  iliis  conore^atlon  under  the 
Classis,  have  proved  abortive  ;  but  this  is 
the  first  and  most  favourable  opportunity 
to  effect  that  purpose.  The  present  Con- 
sistory is  not  averse  to  it."  Farther  on 
he  adds,  and  I  quote  it  both  to  show  that 
in  the  congregation  there  was  not  entire 
unanimity  as  to  coming  under  the  care  of 
Classis,  and  the  impression  which  Mr. 
Sluyter  had  made  by  his  preaching  :  "  I 
am  confident  that  the  high  opinion  which 
the  whole  congregation  entertains  of  your 
person  and  talents  will  readily  overcome 
the  caprice  of  a  few  individuals.  This 
circumstance  is  another  argument  in  our 
behalf  to  give  our  call  a  favourable  con- 
sideration, and  finally  to  accept  it.  You 
alone  will  then  be  entitled  to  the  merit  of 
having  brought  this  congregation  under 
the  Classis.  May  the  Lord  incline  your 
heart  to  see  the  necessity  of  bestowing 
your  labour  in  his  vineyard  among  us  !" 

As  colleague  of  the  venerable  Gebhard, 
it  was  stipulated  in  the  call  which  was 
presented   to  Mr.  Sluyter,  that  he  should 


REV.  E-ICHARD  SLUYTER.  81 

preach  *'  three  fourths  of  the  Sabbaths  of 
each  and  every  year  in  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church  of  Claverack."  That  the 
other  "fourth  of  the  Sabbaths"  might  be 
occupied,  and  his  salary  increased,  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church  of  Hillsdale,  then 
belonging  to  the  Classis  of  Rensselaer,* 
united  in  the  call  with  the  church  of 
Claverack.  But  thou2:h  three  fourths  of 
his  time  and  preaching,  by  the  terms  of 
his  call,  were  to  be  given  to  the  latter,  yet 
it  was  with  the  express  understanding  that, 
at  the  commencement  of  his  ministry,  only 
two  fourths  would  be  exacted  of  him. 
Every  fourth  Sabbath,  therefore,  he  was 
permitted  to  employ  himself  where  he  might 
deem  it  most  expedient.  As,  however, 
when  the  call  upon  him  was  made  out,  the 
preliminary  steps  had  been  taken  toward 


*  It  is  not  certain  that  the  church  of  Hillsdale  was 
under  the  supervision  of  the  Classis  of  Rensselaer.  The 
Rev.  B.  B.  Westfail,  recently  deceased,  who  had  the  means 
of  acquiring  correct  information,  in  a  published  article 
says,  that  it  *'  remained  independent  of  any  ecclesiastical 
body." 


32  ME^IOIR  OF 

building  the  First  Reformed  Protestant 
Dutch  Church  of  Ghent,  it  was  suggested  to 
him  that  he  "  might  bestow  a  fourth  part" 
of  his  annual  labours  in  "  that  portion  of 
Christ's  vineyard,  especially  as  long  as 
Mr.  Gebhard  continued  preaching."  Sub- 
sequently, (and  doubtless  mainly  through 
the  agency  of  him  who  made  it,)  this  sug- 
gestion was  carried  into  effect  ;  and  for 
"  more  than  seven  years,"  and  until  the 
settlement  of  the  Rev.  P.  S.  Wyncoop  over 
that  church  as  pastor,  Mr.  Sluyter  was  its 
stated  supply. 

From  the  imperfect  view  which  has  now 
been  given  of  the  extent  of  the  field  of 
ministerial  labour  upon  which,  on  accept- 
ing the  united  call  of  the  churches  of 
Claverack  and  Hillsdale,  Mr.  Sluyter  was 
expected  to  enter,  it  will  readily  be  con- 
ceded that  there  was  work  enough  before 
him  to  tax  to  the  utmost  his  mental  and 
bodily  energies.  While  its  acceptance 
was  pending,  he  received,  from  a  reliable 
source,  the  information  that  "  Claverack, 
exclusive  of  Hillsdale,  had  more  than  five 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  33 

hundred  families  in  it."*  But  Claverack 
and  Hillsdale  (or  that  part  of  it  which 
composed  his  congregation)  united,  did  not 
comprise  the  whole  of  his  pastoral  charge. 
Included  in  it  were  the  corporate  limits  of 
the  city  of  Hudson,  without  the  city  pro- 
per. Beside,  some  few  families  who  re- 
sided in  the  city  were  attendants  upon 
his  ministrations,  and  subject  to  his  super- 
vision. In  fine,  where  once  he  stood  alone, 
(with  the  exception  of  the  assistance  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Gebhard,  which  was  limited  al- 
most entirely  to  preaching  on  the  Sabbath,) 
several  ministers  of  our  own  and  other  de- 
nominations of  Christians,  are  now  con- 
stantly, usefully  and  fully  employed. 

The  extent  of  the  sphere  of  Mr.  Sluy- 
ter's  ministerial  work,  however,  was  not 
the  only  nor  the  most  formidable  obstacle 
which  was  visible  even  to  a  superficial  ob- 
server.    It  embraced  a  great  deal  of  nev/ 


*  The  town  of  Ghent,  which  was  not  at  this  time 
constituted,  was  for  the  most  part  embraced  in  that  of 
Claverack. 


34  MEMOIR  OF 

ground,  or  (what  is  scarcely  to  be  preferred 
to  it)  of  old  ground,  which,  through  neglect 
of  tillage,  might  almost  be  said  to  have  be- 
come an  uncultivated  waste.  One  who 
was  a  first  fruit  of  his  ministrv,*  and  from 
his  subsequent  attendance  upon  him  as  he 
went  from  neighbourhood  to  neighbour- 
hood preaching  the  Gospel,  had  an  oppor- 
tunity to  learn  what  was  the  moral  and 
religious  aspect  of  things,  testifies,  *'  Dis- 
cipline was  altogether  out  of  the  question, 
and  it  was  no  uncommon  thing  for  church 
members  to  engage  in  horse-racing,  and 
other  like  gambols.  Deadness  and  stu- 
pidity'' were  to  a  great  extent  character- 
istics "  of  professors  of  religion,  and  moral 
desolation  prevailed  over  the  whole  field 
of  his  labour."  Now  it  was  these  things, 
rather  than  the  wide  sphere  in  which  to 
"  make  full  proof  of  his  ministry,"  which 
were  the  great  existing  impediments.  Mean- 
time there  were  not  wanting  some  in  the 
church,  who,  like  Caleb,  had  "  another  spi- 

*  Rev.  B.  B.  Westfall. 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  35 

rit,"  and  saw  and  deplored  the  ungodliness 
of  professed  Christians,  and  the  presump- 
tuous wickedness  of  transgressors  ;  and 
their  solicitude  for  the  purification  and 
reformation  of  the  Church,  and  the  salva- 
tion of  sinners — their  prayers,  and  the  ho- 
liness of  their  *'  walk  and  conversation" — 
together  with  the  gracious  promises  of 
God  to  the  faithful  servant — were  among 
the  things  which  induced  Mr.  Slu^^er  to 
listen  to  their  urgent  requests  to  become 
"  their  pastor  and  teacher,"  and  animated 
him  in  the  performance  of  an  amount  of 
work  which,  apart  from  its  peculiar  diffi- 
culties, was  sufficient  to  break  down  a 
man  of  less  resolution  and  fortitude,  and 
of  less  vigour,  both  of  mind  and  body. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Accepts  tlie  United  call  of  tlie  churches  of  Claverack  and  Hillsdale— 
Early  decision  as  to  the  mode  in  which  his  duties  should  be  per- 
formed — Marriage — Results  of  his  preaching^Preliminary  work 
to  be  done— Eucouragement— Character  of  his  preaching — First 
revival,  A.  D.  1821— Opposition  to  it— Fruits  of  it— IIJs  account 
of  it— Revivals  of  1822  and  1823- Their  effects— Subsequent  de- 
clension in  religion — Trials  of  Mr.  S. — Causes  of  them — Pastoral 
relation  to  the  church  of  Hillsdale  dissolved — On  Mr.  Gebhard'fi 
ceasing  to  preach,  becomes  sole  pastor  of  the  church  of  Claverack 
— Death  of  Mr.  Gebhard— Obituary— Affecting  scene. 

The  objections  which  Mr.  Sluyter  had 
made  to  accepting  the  call  of  the  churches 
of  Claverack  and  Hillsdale,  having  at 
length  been  removed,  he  signified  to  their 
Consistories  his  acceptance  of  it.  This 
was  followed  by  his  examination  for  ordi- 
nation to  the  office  of  a  bishop,  by  the 
Classis  of  Rensselaer,  and  his  ordination 
in  the  church  of  Claverack  on  the  26th 
of  December,  1815.  Being  then  in  the 
prime  of  life,  and  in  the  enjo3''ment  of  ex- 
cellent health,  he  entered  upon  his  work, 
as  "the  ambassador  of  Christ,"  with  the 


REV%    RICHARD    SLL'YTER.  3Y 

evident  purpose  of  "  spending  and  being 
spent"  for  the  people  of  his  charge.  The 
cursory  survey  which  at  the  first  he  was 
enabled  to  take  of  the  sphere  in  which  he 
was  called  *'  to  fulfil  the  whole  work  of  the 
Gospel  ministry,"  convinced  him,  that 
many  who  expected  at  his  hands  to  receive 
"  the  bread  of  life,"  would  die  without  it, 
if  he  confined  his  ministrations  to  the 
sanctuary  and  the  Sabbath.  Accordingly, 
he  concluded  to  go  about  preaching  the 
Gospel,  especially  in  those  parts  of  his 
congregations  which  were  most  remote 
from  the  churches  in  which  they  respect- 
ively worshipped.  And  being  naturally 
of  an  ardent  temperament,  he  displayed 
in  excess  the  zeal  for  which  young  men  are 
apt  to  be  distinguished  at  their  first  setting 
out  in  life.  "  I  have  known  him  to  preach," 
says  the  late  Rev.  Mr.  Westfall,  "  for 
months  in  succession,  almost  every  night 
in  the  week,  and  visit  families  in  the  day 
time." 

Amid  his  various  and  increasing  duties, 
however,  he  paused  to  be  united  in  mar- 
4 


38  MEMOIR  OF 

riage  on  the  6th  of  August,  1816,  to  Lydia 
Mary  W.  Schureman.*  But  he  merely 
paused.  As  soon  as  he  returned  to  the 
scene  of  his  labours,  he  resumed  them  with 
his  characieristic  energy.  Intent  upon  ad- 
vancing the  glory  of  God  in  the  salvation 
of  souls,  he  was  literally  "  instant  in  season 
and  out  of  season,"  in  preaching  the  gos- 
pel ;  yet,  at    the  first,  the    results   could 

*  Mrs.  Sluyterwas  the  daughter  of  the  late  Hon.  James 
Schureman,  of  New  Brunswick,  N.  J. — a  man  in  whom 
were  blended  the  qualities  of  the  patriot  and  the  christian^ 
He  was  a  graduate  of  Queens,  (now  Rutgers  College  ;) 
served  as  a  soldier  in  the  revolutionary  war — was  engaged 
in  battle  on  Long  Island  as  one  of  a  company  which  he 
had  been  mainly  instrumental  in  raising  ;  was  afterward 
taken  prisoner  near  New  Brunswick,  and  imprisoned  in 
that  city,  and  also  in  the  "  Sugar-House  "  in  New-York, 
from  which,  however,  he  made  his  escape.  Having  by 
these  services  proved  his  patriotism,  he  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  first  and  second  Congress  under  the  New 
Constitution  ;  was  subsequently  chosen  a  United  States 
Senator  for  six  years,  and  in  A.  D.  1812  was  again  elected 
to  Congress  as  the  colleague  of  the  late  Hon.  Richard 
Stockton.  Though  he  did  not  until  a  late  period  of  his 
life  make  a  public  profession  of  faith  in  Christ,  yet  he  was 
"  always  serious,  an  attendant  upon,  and  a  hberal  ©upport- 
er  of  the  church." 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  89 

scarcely  be  said  to  equal  his  expenditure  of 
time  and  effort.  B  ut  this  was  to  be  expected. 
As  when  a  man  settles  himself  in  a  new  coun- 
try, or  in  a  country  which,  through  want  of 
proper  tillage  is  overgrown  with  briers  and 
shrubs  much  preparatory  work  is  required 
before  it  can  be  reasonably  supposed  that 
the  earth  will  5'-ield  an  increase  covering, 
and  more  than  covering  the  expense  of  its 
cultivation  ;  so  also,  when  a  minister  set- 
tles in  a  congregation  where  there  is  much 
fallow  ground  to  be  broken  up,  he  has 
*' need  of  patience"  to  wait  for  the  pro- 
mised blessing.  He  must  look  for  obsta- 
cles in  the  lifelessness,  and  even  ungodli- 
ness of  professors  of  religion ;  in  the  bold 
and  accumulating  wickedness  of  the  unre- 
generate  ;  in  the  prejudices  of  ignorance 
steeped  in  error,  as  it  respects  the  nature 
and  extent  of  divine  requirements,  as  well 
as  in  the  remoteness  of  many  from  the 
church,  and  their  want  of  facilities  to  re- 
sort there,  to  use  and  profit  by  the  means 
of  grace.  These  obstacles,  and  others  akin 
to  them,  Mr,  Sluyter  encountered  at  the 


40  MEMOIR  OF 

beginning  of  his  ministry  ;  and  their  re- 
moval was  not  the  work  of  a  day,  or  even 
of  a  year.  Still  as  he  endeavoured  this 
by  the  divinely  appointed  instrumentality 
of  the  gospel,  he  persevered  even  amid 
opposition  and  reproach  "  in  holding  forth 
the  word  of  life."  It  sufficed  for  him  that 
it  was  written,  "  in  due  season  we  shall 
reap  if  we  faint  not."  Meantime,  how- 
ever, he  was  not  left  without  encourage- 
ment in  his  work.  "  His  preaching,"  says 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Westfall,  "  was  made  to 
bear  with  point  and  energy  upon  the  evil 
practices  that  prevailed  in  the  church  ; 
discipline  began  to  be  exercised,  and  soon 
it  became  reproachful  for  a  professor  of 
religion  to  be  seen  at  the  revelries  of  the 
day.  The  standard  of  morals  was  elevated 
in  the  community,  a  spirit  of  piety  began 
to  breathe  in  the  church,  family  altars 
began  to  be  erected,  and  pra3^er-meetings 
were  established  in  different  sections  of 
the  congregation."  He  farther  testifies  : 
"  Many  had  their  attention  arrested,  and 
some   interesting    conversions   followed." 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  41 

These  perceptible  fruits  of  his  ministra- 
tions served  to  animate  Mr.  Slu3^ter  amid 
a  great  variety  of  discouragements,  and  to 
make  apparent  the  fact  that  "  the  way  of 
the  Lord  among  the  people  of  his  charge 
was  in  a  gradual,  but  sure  course  of  pre- 
paration. And  at  length,  after  more  than 
five  years  of  continuous  and  faithful  effort, 
in  February,  1821,  the  indications  became 
unequivocal  that  God  had  begun  to  pour 
out  his  Spirit.  This  year,  indeed,  was  me- 
morable for  the  descent  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
on  all  the  churches  in  the  surrounding  re- 
gion. Among  these  were  the  churches  of 
Nassau,  Kinderhook,  Hudson,  Catskill  and 
Coxsackie.  As  it  respects  more  particu- 
larly the  church  of  Claverack,  the  year 
1821  may  be  said  to  form  an  era  in  its  his- 
tory. Never  before  had  God  so  signally  re- 
vealed himself  to  it  *'  in  the  power  ofhis  word 
and  Spirit."  But  his  work  then,  as  in  the 
days  of  the  apostles,  met  with  opposition. 
Not  only  when  its  first  fruits  became  visi- 
ble, but  also  when  it  was  most  pervading 
and  controling  in  its  influence,  it  could  ia 
4* 


42  MEMOIR  OF 

truth  be  affirmed,  "  and  there  are  many 
adversaries."  So  firmly  convinced,  how- 
ever, was  Mr.  Sluyter,  that  it  was  of  God, 
that  in  a  letter  written  early  in  March,  to 
his  wife,  then  absent  on  a  visit  to  her  pa- 
rents, he  said,  "  I  cannot  yield  to  any 
opposition,  for  I  know  that  the  Lord  is  on 
our  side."  Nor  did  he  yield,  even  though 
as  a  consequence  he  found  arrayed  against 
him  members  of  the  church  as  well  as 
men  of  the  world.  The  former  never  hav- 
ing witnessed  a  revival  of  religion,  in  most 
cases,  doubtless,  assumed  the  attitude  of 
opposers,  "  ignorantly  through  unbelief;" 
the  latter  spake  "  evil  of  the  things  that 
they"  understood  "not,"  because  the 
church  was  increased  by  a  thinning  of 
their  ranks,  in  a  manner  as  effectual  as  it 
was  unusual.  But  if  in  the  opposition 
which  Mr.  Sluyter  encountered,  there  was 
much  which  was  trying  to  his  feelings,  and 
might  have  proved  disheartening  to  a  man 
less  ardent  and  sanguine,  there  was  also 
much  in  the  richness  of  the  blessing  of 
God   upon  his  ministrations,  which  was 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  43 

encouraging  and  sustaining.  Christians  ac- 
quired new  views  of  the  power  and  grace 
of  God ;  had  their  errors  corrected  and 
their  prejudices  removed  ;  saw  illustrated 
in  a  manner  the  most  convincing  the  pre- 
valence and  "  blessedness  of  prayer,"  and 
learned  to  appreciate  more  highly  the  gos- 
pel, as  the  instrumentality  ordained  by 
God  to  save  sinners,  and  promote  the  sanc- 
tification  of  believers.  Had  these  been  the 
only  fruits  of  the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit, 
it  would  be  difficult  to  over  estimate  their 
value  to  the  church  of  Claverack  ;  but  be- 
side, during  the  year  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  members  were  added  to  it  on 
confession. 

The  following  is  the  account  which  Mr. 
Sluyter  himself  gave  of  the  revival  of  1821 : 
*'  This  work  made  its  appearance  about 
the  middle  of  February,  in  the  village  of 
Claverack,  after  being  long  prayed  for, 
fondly  expected,  and  strongly  anticipated 
from  the  manifest  movings  of  the  Spirit  of 
God  upon  the  consciences  of  several  who 
had  been  attendants  upon  the  means  of 


44  MEMOIR  OF 

grace  previous  to  the  day  on  which  a  re- 
vival was  announced  to  have  commenced. 
It  was  preceded  by  a  spirit  of  prayer 
poured  out  upon  the  church,  which  was 
unusual  and  solemn.  Nothing  in  the  whole 
progress  of  the  work  has  appeared  wild  or 
enthusiastic,  nor  was  it  discoverable  that 
its  spread  was  through  the  medium  of 
sympathy." 

The  years  1S22  and  1S23,  were  also  pe- 
riods in  which  the  church  of  Claverack 
was  revived,  and  the  accessions  to  it  on 
confession  were  numerous.  But  these 
seem  to  have  been  rather  the  continuous 
fruits  of  the  work  of  grace,  commenced  in 
A.  D.,  1821,  than  distinct  seasons  in  which 
the  Holy  Spirit  was  poured  out.  And  this 
is  a  feature  of  the  first  revival  of  religion 
in  Claverack  which  ma}"  be  contemplated 
with  pleasure,  for  it  confirms  the  testimony 
of  Mr.  Sluyter,  that  *'  its  spread  was"  not 
"through  the  medium  of  s^^mpathy."  No 
person  will  contend  for  the  extension  of 
this  throughout  a  period  of  three  years. 
Equally,  if  not  more   preposterous  would 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  45 

it  be  for  any  one  to  maintain  that  hu- 
man machinery,  no  matter  how  well  de- 
vised, nor  how  efficiently  plied,  continued 
to  extend  its  effects  for  so  long  a  space  of 
time.  Much  has  been  said  of  its  power 
and  its  results,  but  never  have  its  most  ar- 
dent advocates  pretended  that  for  three 
successive  years  it  continued  to  produce 
its  fruits. 

Now  when  it  is  remembered  what  was 
the  state  of  things  in  the  church  of  Clavei- 
ack,  when  Mr.  SIu3'ter  was  settled  over  it 
as  pastor,  and  what  it  continued  to  be,  up 
even  to  the  time  when  it  pleased  God  to 
pour  out  his  spirit  upon  it — when  it  is  re- 
membered that  the  opposition  to  the  revi- 
val was  strenuous  and  determined  ;  that  it 
was  regarded  and  spoken  of  as  the  work 
not  of  God,  but  of  man  ;  and  that  it  was 
confidently  predicted  that  it  would  "  come 
to  nought,"  it  is  easy  to  perceive  that  its 
continuance,  though  with  diminished  pow- 
er, through  three  ^^ears,  must  have  been 
of  very  great  advantage.  It  did  indeed 
result  in  the  removal  from  the  minds  of 


46  MEMOIR  OF 

christians  of  all  scepticism  as  to  its  origin, 
its  nature,  and  the  blessedness  of  its  fruits  ; 
in  giving  more  elevation  to  the  tone  of 
their  piety,  and  more  circumspection  and 
consistency  to  their  walk;  in  increasing 
the  degree  of  their  influence,  and  in  mak- 
ing them  the  fast  friends  of  revivals  of  re- 
ligion. As  it  respected  the  world,  its  effect 
was  to  falsify  their  predictions,  to  stagger, 
if  not  to  uproot  their  faith  in  their  own  de- 
clarations that  it  was  the  work  of  man, 
and  measurably  to  overcome  their  opposi- 
tion, or  rather  to  make  it  powerless.  As 
the  result,  therefore,  of  the  first  revival  of 
religion  in  the  church  of  Claverack,  Mr. 
Sluyter  was  placed  upon  vantage  ground. 
By  it  God  set  the  seal  of  his  approbation 
upon  his  ministry,  and  virtually  proclaim- 
ed him  to  be  an  approved  and  faithful  ser- 
vant. Beside,  he  made  it  subsequently 
contribute  toward  his  encouragement,  com- 
fort, and  success. 

After  the  fruits  of  the  revival  of  the 
years  1821,  '22,  and  '23  had  been  gather- 
ed in,  though  God  did  not  leave  himself 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  47 

wiihout  witness  that  by  his  Spirit  he  was 
present  with  the  church,  giving  efficacy  to 
his  own  truth,  yet  it  gradually  became 
more  and  more  apparent  that  christians 
w^ere  losing  their  "  first  love" — were  satis- 
fying themselves  with  the  mere  formal  dis- 
charge of  religious  duties,  and  indifferent 
about  the  salvation  of  sinners.  The  usual 
effect  followed  as  it  respects  the  impeni- 
tent. They  waxed  more  careless,  more 
bold  in  sinuincr,  and  more  regardless  of  the 
calls  and  invitations  of  mercy,  by  w^iich  it 
was  sought  to  persuade  them.  Neverthe- 
less, the  moral  and  religious  aspect  of 
things  differed  widely  from  w^hat  it  had 
been  previous  to  the  late  revival.  But 
this  fact,  interesting  and  important  as  it 
was,  did  not,  could  not  overbalance  the 
causes  for  mourning  both  within  and  with- 
out the  church.  And  during  the  period  in- 
tervening between  the  years  1823  and 
1S31,  when  God  again  poured  out  his  Spi- 
rit, Mr.  Sluyter  experienced  some  of  his 
severest  trials.  These  were  occasioned 
partly  by  the   causes   which   have   been 


48  MEMOIR  OF 

mentioned,  and  were  of  a  character  to  af- 
fect him  deeply  :  so  that  if  during  the  pro- 
gress of  the  revival  in  A.  D.  1821,  he 
could  write  to  Mrs.  Sluyter,  "  My  heart 
is  full  of  this  glorious  work  ;  I  have  a  thou- 
sand things  to  tell  you  about  the  passing 
scenes  of  this  day  of  God's  merciful  visita- 
tion ;  I  do  not  know  how  to  pray  and 
praise  the  Lord  enough  for  his  kindness 
and  love  to  me,  in  giving  me  health  and 
strength  to  perform  the  arduous  duties  in- 
volved in  a  work  of  revival" — he  now 
found  reason  often  to  exclaim,  "  Who  hath 
believed  our  report?  and  to  whom  is  the 
arm  of  the  Lord  revealed  ?"  As  it  respects 
the  other  things  by  which  he  was  tried,  as 
a  notice  of  them  could  subserve  no  good 
end,  it  is  best  that  the  mantle  of  oblivion 
be  thrown  over  them. 

During  the  period  of  Mr.  Sluyter's  mi- 
nistry which  is  now  under  review,  some 
things  occurred  which  deserve  notice. 
These  were,  the  cessation  from  preaching 
and  the  death  of  his  venerable  colleague, 
and  the  dissolution  of  his  pastoral  connec- 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  49 

tion  with  the  church  of  Hillsdale.  It  was 
contemplated  by  the  Consistory  of  the 
church  of  Claverack,  in  the  settlement  of  a 
colleague  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gebhard,  to 
claim  the  whole  of  his  time  and  services, 
when  through  growing  infirmities  the  latter 
should  be  unable  longer  to  preach.  In 
April,  A.  D.  1825,  this  period  arrived  ; 
and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gebhard  bavins:  been 
declared  emeritus  by  the  Classis,  and  the 
stipulations  of  Mr.  Sluyter's  call,  so  far  as 
they  respected  the  Consistory  of  the  church 
of  Hillsdale,  having  been  annulled,  the  lat- 
ter thenceforward,  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  was  the  sole  pastor  of  the  church 
of  Claverack.  As,  however,  his  pastoral 
relation  to  the  church  of  Hillsdale  had  been 
productive  of  much  comfort  to  himself, 
and  of  much  good  to  it,  it  was  not  without 
regret  mutually  felt  and  expressed,  that 
he  parted  from  it,  and  left  the  people,  "  as 
sheep  without  a  shepherd."  Nor  did  he 
ever  cease  to  take  an  interest  in  its  wel- 
fare. 

Mr.  Gebhard  did  not  long  survive  the 


60  MEMOIR    OF 

relinquishment  of  the  active  duties  of  his 
calling.  "  He  was  gathered  to  his  fathers  " 
on  the  16th  of  August,  1S26,  in  the  seven- 
ty-seventh year  of  his  age,  and  the  fifty- 
fourth  of  his  ministry.  From  a  brief  obi- 
tuary of  him,  which  was  published  in 
*'  The  Magazine  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church,"  it  appears  that  *'  he  was  born  on 
the  2d  of  February,  A.  D.  1750,  at  Wal- 
dorf, in  Germany.  He  received  his  classi- 
cal education  at  Heidelberg,  and  com- 
pleted his  theological  studies  and  was  li- 
censed to  preach  at  Utrecht,  in  Holland. 
In  A.  D.  1771  he  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  and  officiated  in  the  ministry  in 
Pennsylvania  for  about  three  years.  In  the 
month  of  January,  1774,  he  was  called  to 
the  German  Reformed  Church  of  the  city 
of  New-York,  now  under  the  pastoral  care 
of  the  Rev.  J.  S.  Ebaugh,  and  continued  their 
pastor  until  1776,  when  he,  together  with 
many  others  of  said  church,  fled  before  the 
British.  In  1776  he  was  called  to  the  pas- 
toral charge  of  the  Reformed  Protestant 
Dutch  Church  of  Claverack,  N.  Y."    He 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  51 

was  a  learned  and  a  good  man,  and  in 
the  fullest  sense  of  the  term  a  gentleman.* 
He  was  always  modest,  dignified,  cour- 
teous and  affable  in  his  intercourse  with 
others.  He  was,  beside,  distinguished  for 
his  sagacity,  his  knowledge  of  human  na- 
ture, his  prudence,  and  his  self-control. 
He  was  eminently  a  man  of  peace,  and 
in  practice  conformed  to  the  exhortation, 
"  Let  us  follow  after  the  things  which 
make  for  peace,  and  things  wherewith  one 
may  edify  another."  And  it  is  due  to  truth  tO' 
say,  that  it  was  as  much  owing  to  him  as 
to  Mr.  Sluyter,  that  there  never  occurred 
the  "least  rupture"  between  them.  It 
was  because  peace  was  their  mutual  aim, 
that  it  was  preserved  during  the  period 


♦  The  writer  is  indebted  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ebaiigh  for 
matter  to  supply  what  was  wanting  in  the  obituary  of  Mr. 
Gebhard,  as  it  was  originally  published;  and  also  for  the 
information  derived  from  the  records  of  his  church,  that 
Mr.  G.  was  recalled  to  it,  "  but  declined  accepting  the  call 
solely  on  account  of  the  largeness  of  his  family,  and  the 
inadequate  support  offered  him  in  it." 


52  MEMOIR  OF 

of  their  collegiate  connection,  and  until  the 
death  of  Mr.  Gebhard. 

The  writer,  who  was  kindly  taken  by 
the  hand,  and  encouraged  by  Mr.  Geb- 
hard when  he  had  resolved  to  devote  him- 
self to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  cannot 
forbear  to  advert  to  one  scene  in  which 
that  venerable  servant  of  God  was  an 
actor,  and  which  is  vividly  impressed  on 
his  mind.  It  was  the  Sabbath,  and  the 
church  had  come  t02:ether  to  remember 
Christ  in  *'  the  ordinance  of  the  Holy 
Supper."  Just  about  the  time  the  elements 
were  to  be  distributed,  he  came  into  the 
church,  it  is  believed  for  the  last  time.  At 
any  rate,  the  writer  never  saw  him  there 
afterward.  As  he  opened  the  door,  every 
e3^e  was  directed  toward  him.  His  gait 
was  erect,  but  his  countenance  was  wan, 
and  every  feature  of  it  pointed  him  out  as 
a  candidate  for  the  tomb.  He  took  his 
seat  in  front  of  the  pulpit,  and  at  the  right 
of  the  table.  And  as  he  sat  there  contem- 
plating the  scene  before  him,  and  doubt- 
less anticipating  with  confidence  and  joy 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  53 

of  heart  the  arrival  of  the  moment  when 
he  should  be  welcomed  home  to  glory  with 
the  plaudit,  '•  Well  done,  good  and  faithful 
servant,"  the  peace  within  was  shadowed 
forth  in  the  heavenly  serenity  which  was 
depicted  on  his  brow.  The  services  pro- 
ceeded. "  He  ate  of  the  bread  and  drank 
of  the  wine  in  remembrance  of  Christ.'* 
He  arose  in  his  place  amid  silence  like 
that  of  the  grave,  and  delivered  the  last 
address  which  he  ever  made  at  the  com- 
munion table,  or  to  the  church  to  which  he 
had  ministered  for  about  half  a  century. 
He  spoke  in  the  Dutch  language,  with 
earnestness  yet  with  deliberation,  and  in  a 
manner  such  as  became  him,  standing  on 
the  borders  of  eternit}^  In  the  tones  of 
his  voice  there  was  something  sepulchral. 
He  seemed  like  one  from  the  other  world, 
who  had  just  appeared  to  deliver  a  mes- 
sage from  God  and  return.  And  when  I 
looked  on  him  standing  forth  as  the  "  am- 
bassador of  Christ,"  remembered  how 
often  he  had  said,  '*  I  would  rather  wear 
out  than  rust  out,"  and  saw  the  lamp  of 
5* 


54  MEMOIR. 

life  then  evidently  flickering  in  the  socket, 
I  experienced  sensations  which  for  the 
time  were  overpowering,  and  cannot  be 
described. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Revival  of  1831— Four  days'  meetings— Their  results— Revivals  of 
1833  and  '35— Their  fruits— Result  to  Mr.  S.  of  injudiciously  unit- 
ing with  the  Baptists  in  a  protracted  meeting — Revival  of  1S3S — His 
account  of  it — Revival  of  1842 — His  account  of  it — Extent  of  the 
several  revivals— State  of  religion  during  the  intervals  between 
them — Seeks  no  notoriety  on  account  of  his  success — His  manner, 
in  seasons  of  revival— His  errors  and  excesses — Causes  of  them 
assigned. 

After  eight  years  of  comparative  bar- 
renness of  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  the 
church  ofClaverack  was  again,  in  the  year 
1831,  favoured  with  a  revival  of  religion. 
This  was  the  year  in  which  *'  four  days' 
meetings"  began  to  be  held  in  many  church- 
es of  different  denominations  ;  and  it  must 
be  confessed,  generally  with  the  happiest 
effect.  The  perversions  and  abuses  of  them 
which  eventually  operated  to  their  disad- 
vantage, and  caused  them  sometimes  to  be 
the  source  of  evil,  rather  than  of  good  to 
the  church  of  Christ,  were  then  compara- 
tively unknown.  Having  made  himself 
acquainted  with  their  character,  and  the 


56  ME^IOIR    OF 

mode  of  conducting  them,  Mr.  Sluyter, 
prompted  by  the  consideration  that  *'  in 
almost  every  case  they  were  followed  with 
awakenings  in  the  church,  and  in  the  hope- 
ful conversion  of  many,"  resolved,  with 
the  approbation  of  his  Consistor}^,  to  hold 
*'  a  four  days'  meeting"  in  the  church  of 
Claverack.  But  let  him  speak  for  himself. 
He  says,  "  The  church  in  Claverack  after 
much  earnest  pra3^er  and  solemn  delibera- 
tion, resolved  to  hold  '  a  four  days'  meet- 
ing,' which  began  on  the  17th  of  August, 
1831,  and  continued  until  the  21st.  Every 
day  w^itnessed  a  crowded  auditory,  and 
great  solemnity  and  interest  seemed  to  rest 
on  the  minds  of  all ;  and  a  considerable 
degree  of  revival  in  the  church  prevailed 
for  some  weeks,  and  many  were  brought 
into  the  kingdom." 

The  revival  of  A.  D.  1831,  was  happy 
in  its  influence  upon  the  church,  and  in  a 
high  degree  inspiriting  to  Mr.  Sluyter.  It 
was  followed  by  another  in  A.  D.  1833,  of 
which  the  fruit  was  a  large  accession  to 
the  church.     In  A.  D.   1835,    God  again 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER,  57 

poured  out  his  Spirit ;  and  to  the  number 
of  professed  christians,  forty-four  were 
added.  Of  these  last  two  revivals  it  may 
in  truth  be  said,  that  they  were  a  great 
blessing  to  the  church  of  Claverack,  both 
in  consequence  of  their  immediate  and  sub- 
sequent fruits.  The  former  were  visible 
in  its  increase  by  new  accessions  from  the 
world,  and  in  the  upbuilding  of  christians, 
by  means  of  the  rich  communications  of 
grace  which  were  imparted  to  them.  The 
latter  were  discoverable  in  the  higher  ap- 
preciation on  the  part  of  the  people  gene- 
rally of  the  house  of  God,  its  ministrations 
and  ordinances,  and  their  consequent  more 
diligent  attendance  upon  public  worship. 
At  no  period  of  his  ministry  had  Mr.  Sluy- 
ter  greater  cause  to  be  gratified  on  account 
of  the  number  of  persons  who  regularly 
sat  under  his  preaching,  than  during  that 
which  succeeded  these  revivals.  In  con- 
nection with  the  revival  of  A.  D.  1835, 
there  was  one  thing  which  contributed 
much  toward  this,  namely,  the  difficulty 
in  which  he  became   involved   with   the 


58  MEMOIR  OF 

Baptists,  on  account  of  injudiciously  unit- 
ing with  them  in  the  holding  of  a  protract-- 
ed  meeting  in  the  very  heart  of  his  own 
congregation.  This  operated  to  awake  in 
the  people  the  dormant  feelings  of  kind- 
ness and  affection  for  their  pastor,  and  to 
rally  them  around  him  with  the  determina- 
tion to  encourage  and  sustain  him.  The 
pain,  therefore,  which  the  trial  occasioned 
him,  was  more  than  compensated  by  the 
discovery  which  it  enabled  him  to  make 
of  the  place  which  he  retained  in  the 
hearts  of  the  people. 

In  A.  D.  1S3S,  Mr.  Sluyter  was  again 
permitted  to  rejoice  in  seeing  an  abundant 
blessing  poured  out  upon  the  people  of  his 
charge.  Of  all  the  revivals  which  occur- 
red under  his  ministry,  this  was  the  one 
which  he  seemed  to  regard  with  the  most 
interest.  He  could  scarcely  advert  to  it 
without  becoming  excited  in  the  recollec- 
tion of  what  God  had  wrought.  His  report 
of  it  is  as  follows  : — "  It  is  with  great 
pleasure  and  satisfaction  that  I  am  able  to 
record  the  result  of  a  o^reat  work  of  God 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  59 

in  the  church  of  Claverack,  which  com- 
menced   about    the    middle    of  January, 
]  S38,  in  the  east  part  of  the  town  called 
Centreville.*   In  that  neighbourhood  of  the 
congregation  I  have  been  accustomed  to 
preach  every  alternate  Sabbath,  in  the  af- 
ternoon, for  some  j^ears  ;   and    for   some 
weeks  previous  to  the  breaking  out  of  the 
work,  much  solemnity  prevailed  under  the 
preaching  of  the  word,  and  an  uncommon 
spirit  of  prayer  among  christians.     Two 
little   praying   bands    separated    about   a 
mile  apart,  formed  a  purpose  of  coming 
together  in  one  meeting,  and  to  pray  every 
night  in  succession  during  one  week,  for 
the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  to  begin  on 
Wednesday.     This  pious  design  was  in-» 
troduced  by  a  request  that  I  should  come 
and  preach  in  the  neighbourhood  once  or 
twice  that  week,  which  was  done  on  Mon- 
day and  Tuesday  evenings  preceding.    A 
deep  interest  was  very  evidently  felt,  and 


*  Now  Mellenville. 


40  MEMOIR    OF 

much  of  divine  influence  was  realized  by 
many  hearts.  On  the  night  of  the  fourth 
meeting  for  prayer  in  succession,  the  Holy 
Spirit  seemed  to  come  down  as  on  the  day 
of  Pentecost,  and  filled  the  place  where 
they  were  assembled.  It  was  a  memora- 
ble night,  and  something  like  twentij-one 
souls  were  brought  under  deep  conviction, 
and  cried  out  for  mercy.  I  entered  into 
the  field  on  the  following  week,  and  great 
power  from  on  high  reigned  over  the  whole 
community ;  and  in  the  space  of  two 
weeks  more  than  sixty  souls  were  rejoicing 
in  hope.  A  protracted  meeting  was  held 
in  the  church,  and  the  work  spread  over 
the  congregat'on  generally,  so  that  in  every 
part  of  it  some  precious  souls  were  con- 
verted, and  the  people  in  the  whole  region 
of  country  around  were  impressed."  An- 
other season  of  revival,  and  the  last,  un- 
der Mr.  Sluyter's  ministry,  was  enjoyed 
by  the  church  of  Claverack  in  A.  D.  1842. 
In  relation  to  this  revival,  under  date  of 
March  1,  Mr.  Sluyter  wrote  as  follows  to 
a  son-in-law.     "  We  have  had  a  very  in- 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  61 

teresting  work  of  grace  in  this  place  this 
winter.    Evident  tokens  of  the  operations 
of  the  Spirit  of  God  appeared  in  Decem- 
ber, in  the  north  and  east  parts  of  my  con- 
gregation, which  drew  me  out  in  unusual 
labours  to  cherish  and  promote  the  work. 
The  distant  points  have  been  brought  to- 
gether in  a  great  degree,  and   a  feeling  of 
general   interest   spread  over  the  church. 
This  work  has  been  preceded  by  a  fervent 
spirit  of  prayer  among  christians,  and  at- 
tended with  great  harmony  and  love.    Last 
Sabbath  we  celebrated  the  Lord's  Supper, 
when  thirty-one  united  with  the    church 
on   confession    of  their    faith.     It   was    a 
blessed  season,  indeed.    A  deep  solemnity 
reigned    over    a   crowded    auditory ;    and 
what  greatly  deepened  the  sacredness  of 
the  scene,  was  the  baptism  of  seven  adult 
persons,  some  of  whom  were  of  the  first 
respectability  in  society.     This  was  one  of 
the  good  days  of  the  Lord  in  this  ancient 
church,  several  of  which  it  has  been  my 
high  privilege  to  see  and  enjoy  during  my 
ministry  among  this  people.     At  Mellen- 
6 


62  MEMOIR   OF 

ville,  there  is  now  a  deeply  interesting 
state  of  things.  Sixteen  souls  have  been 
recently  converted,  and  the  work  is  ad- 
vancing. I  shall  commence  a  series  of 
meetings  in  that  church  on  Wednesday  of 
this  week,  (God  willing,)  and  may  the 
Lord  bless  the  means  that  may  be  em- 
plo3^ed  for  the  conversion  of  precious 
souls." 

On  the  13th  of  March,  Mr.  Sluyter  wrote 
to  a  son,  "  I  have  been  holding  a  succes- 
sion of  meetings  at  Mellenville,  for  two 
weeks.  There  has  been  quite  a  serious 
time  in  that  church,  and  upwards  of  twen- 
ty souls  have  been  hopefully  converted. 
Among  the  means  which  produced  serious 
thoughtfulness  in  the  congregations  of  Cla- 
verackand  Mellenville,  was  the  prevalence 
of  the  scarlet  fever,  which  occasioned  an 
unusual  mortahty  among  children.  At 
Mellenville,  particularly,  it  was  desola- 
ting ;  no  less  than  eleven  mothers  having 
been  called  to  mourn  the  loss  of  their  chil- 
dren, between  January  1  and  March  1." 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing,  he  writes 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  G3 

concerning  the  revival  of  1842,  "Indeed, 
there  has  been  a  very  solemn  time  in  this 
region ;  more  than  two  hundred  and  fifty 
have  been  converted  since  the  beginning 
of  the  winter,  and  have  connected  them- 
selves with  different  churches." 

The  revivals  wiih  which  the  church  of 
Claverack  was  favoured  under  Mr.  Sluy- 
ter's  preaching,  it  may  be  here  remarked, 
were  some  of  them  general,  extending 
over  the  whole  congregation,  and  some  of 
them  limited  to  particular  portions  of  it. 

It  need  scarcely  be  added,  that  the 
intervals  between  the  several  revivals  were? 
characterized  by  some  degree  of  stagna- 
tion in  the  religious  feelings  of  christians, 
and  some  want  of  perseverance  and  fidel- 
ity in  their  doing  the  will  of  the  Lord,  as 
well  as  by  apparent  and  growing  indiffer- 
ence on  the  part  of  sinners,  as  it  respected 
their  eternal  well-being.  These,  though 
they  need  not,  and  should  not  be,  yet 
usually  have  been  the  results  following  in 
the  train  of  revivals  of  rehgion.  In  part 
they  arise  from  a  law  of  our  nature  which 


64  MEMOIR   OF 

renders  it  impossible,  without  prejudice  to 
health  and  usefulness,  to  keep  the  mind 
for  a  great  length  of  time  highly  excited,  in 
reference  to  any  topic.  Meantime,  how- 
ever, the  church  gradually  increased  in 
numbers  and  in  grace,  in  the  use  of  ordi- 
nary and  divinely  appointed  means.  If 
on  this  point  there  was  no  other  evidence 
save  the  fact  stated  by  Dr.  Gosman  at  the 
funeral  of  Mr.  Sluyter,  it  would  be  con- 
clusive. He  said,  "  His  ministry  was 
eminently  successful.  Nearly  1,100  souls 
have  been  received  into  the  communion  of 
this  church. 

In  this  connection  it  is  proper  to  state, 
that  though  Mr.  Sluyter's  ministry  was 
unusually  distinguished  for  revivals  of  re- 
ligion, yet  his  humility  was  equal  to  his 
success.  He  never  "  sounded  a  trumpet 
before  him" — never  sought  notoriety  by 
publications  of  what  God  through  his  agen- 
cy was  accomplishing. 

On  the  subject  of  publishing  accounts  of 
revivals,  Mr.  Sluyter  expressed  himself  as 
follows,  in  a  letter  to  the  author  :  *'  With 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  65 

fespect  to  your  remarks  on  the  subject  of 
withholding  information  from  the  pubhc  at 
the  early  stages  of  a  revival,  for  fear  that 
ihe  church  might  think  more  highly  than 
she  ought  to  think  of  the  hopeful  work,  I 
partly  agree  with  you  and  partly  not. 

"  I  acknowledge  that  much  injur}''  has 
arisen  through  indiscretion  and  untemper- 
ed  zeal,  in  times  of  the  evident  nearness 
of  God's  power  in  quickening  and  reviving 
the  souls  of  men.  To  publish  exaggerated 
accounts,  and  to  make  more  of  the  work 
than  the  Spirit  of  God  warrants  us  to 
make,  is  wrong.  Although  such  accounts 
may  be  the  result  of  ardent  wishes  and 
pious  hope,  in  view  of  an  extensive  work 
of  grace  ;  yet  if  the  intelligence  published 
be  not  strictly  and  faithfully  the  history  of 
facts  as  they  exist,  it  is  not  true,  and  con- 
sequently cannot  be  right.  This  is  an  er- 
ror, on  the  one  hand,  which  has  doubtless 
hurt  the  character  of  religious  revivals  in 
no  small  degree.  Tiiose  who  heard  the 
report  at  a  distance,  and  had  raised  ex- 
pectations, have  been  disappointed  when 


66  MEMOIR    OF 

ihey  have  come  to  see  what  God  had 
wrought.  The  wicked  have  taken  advan- 
tage of  such  things,  and  turned  them  to  an 
evil  account.  I  am,  however,  apprehen- 
sive that  much  needless  fear  is  indulged 
by  many  on  this  subject — that  too  much 
squeamishness  is  often  felt  and  manifested 
by  many  ministers  and  christians  respect- 
ing revivals  of  religion.  If  the  movements 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  are  manifest  in  awaken- 
ing the  Church  and  exciting  the  alarm  of 
the  impenitent  in  any  place,  I  see  no  ne- 
cessity of  studied  silence  on  the  subject. 
If  o?ie  only  be  converted,  it  excites  'joy  in 
heaven  ;'  and  that  one  may  not,  and  can- 
not be  silent,  but  in  the  language  of  the 
Psalmist,  is  constrained  to  say,  *  Come 
and  hear,  all  ye  that  fear  God,  and  I  will 
declare  what  he  hath  done  for  my  soul.' 
May  not,  then,  private  communication  be 
sent  to  those  *  who  for  Zion's  sake  will 
not  hold  their  peace,  and  for  Jerusalem's 
sake  will  not  rest,  until  the  righteousness 
thereof  go  forth  as  brightness,  and  the  sal- 
vation thereof  as  a  lamp  that  burneth  V    It 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  67 

would  be  a  comfort  to  them  to  hear  un- 
varnished intelligence  of  the  Lord's  power 
and  goodness  to  others,  and  might  prove  a 
mean  of  exciting  them  to  unusual  zeal  and 
prayer,  and  be  attended  with  a  blessing 
upon  them  and  theirs." 

Moreover,  the  revivals  of  religion,  of 
which  mention  has  been  made,  were 
not  the  products  of  other  men's  labours. 
The  Rev.  B.  B.  Westfall,  in  the  pubHshed 
notice  before  referred  to,  says,  "  None 
could  be  attributed  to  the  preaching  of  an- 
other man.  It  pleased  the  Spirit  of  God 
signally  to  own  his  ministrations  ;  and  in 
more  than  one  instance,  to  come  down 
upon  the  listening  audience  with  heart- 
melting  power."  With  respect  to  the  man- 
ner of  Mr.  Sluyter,  in  seasons  of  religious 
awakening,  he  speaks  as  follows  :  "  It  was 
the  writer's  privilege  to  be  among  the  first 
fruits  of  his  ministry.  And  for  some  time 
I  was  with  him  as  Timothy  with  Paul; 
and  if  ever  I  have  been  successful  in 
bringing  souls  to  Christ,  much  of  it  must 
be  attributed  to  the  lessons  I  received  in 


68  MEMOIR    OF 

this  school  of  my  first  discipleship.  The 
firm  grasp  with  which  he  would  lay  hold 
of  the  hand  of  a  humble  inquirer  or  care- 
less sinner,  with  the  look  of  love  and  com- 
passion, whilst  he  would  plead  and  expos- 
tulate with  him  on  the  necessity  of  an  im- 
mediate submission  to  God,  seldom  failed 
of  producing  its  effects  ;  and  as  he  pointed 
out  the  way  of  life  and  salvation  through 
the  efficacy  of  Christ's  blood,  I  have  seen 
stout  hearts  break  and  yield  to  the  claims 
of  the  Saviour." 

In  concluding  the  notice  of  the  revivals, 
with  which,  under  the  ministry  of  Mr* 
Sluyter  the  church  of  Claverack  was  bless- 
ed, it  would  be  claiming  for  him  a  degree 
of  perfection  to  which  he  made  no  preten- 
sion, to  say,  that,  in  his  doings  with  re- 
spect to  them  he  committed  no  errors,  fell 
into  no  excesses.  He  did  both,  as  he 
was  himself  aware,  and  on  more  than  one 
occasion  ingenuously  admitted*  In  his 
preaching  he  was  sound  in  the  faith  ;  but 
in  his  measures  he  sometimes  went  too  far. 
There    is,  however,   some  excuse   to   be 


REV.   RICHAUD   sluyter.  69 

found  for  him  in  the  fact  that  he  was  na- 
turally excitable,  ardent  and  impulsive. 
Hence,  no  scene  was  more  congenial  to 
him  than  that  in  which  men  were  absorbed 
in  the  great  work  of^  seeking  salvation. 
Standing  among  such,  he  was  in  his  ele- 
ment, and  no  where  else  appeared  to  bet- 
ter advantage  as  the  **  ambassador  of 
Christ."  It  was  then  that  he  displayed 
his  skill  in  anatomizing  the  human  heart ; 
exposed  in  a  most  convincing  manner  to 
unbelievers  the  refuges  of  lies  in  which 
they  were  trusting ;  exhibited  the  Divine 
law  in  its  nature,  extent,  spirituality  and 
perfection,  and  preached  Jesus  **  as  the 
end  of  the  law  for  righteousness  to  every 
one  that  believeth.'*  And  all  this  he  did 
often  in  strains  of  impassioned,  persuasive 
and  commanding  eloquence.  But  if  in  a 
revival  the  state  of  things  was  congenial 
to  his  feelings,  it  must  also  be  conceded 
that  he  was  sometimes  rather  under  the 
control  of  these  than  of  his  judgment. 
The  alarms  of  conscience  produced  by 
convictions  of  sin,  the  agonizing  cries  for 


70  MEMOm    OF 

rrrerCy- — the  gushing  tears  of  penitence — 
the  joy  arising  from  a  sense  of  sins  for- 
given, and  the  praises  to  God  for  his  dis- 
plays of  the  wonders  of  redeeming  love, 
were  fitted  to  excite,  and  did  excite  him  in 
a  high  degree.  At  such  times,  when  it 
might  almost  be  said  that  his  feelings  took 
a  hue  from  every  passing  scene,  his  acts 
and  measures  were  not  always  governed 
by  the  rules  of  strict  propriety.  But  this, 
from  his  peculiar  temperament,  was  to  be 
expected,  and  is  not  therefore  to  be  un-^ 
qualifiedly  condemned.  Indeed,  when 
under  the  influence  of  excitement  in  refer^ 
ence  to  any  subject  save  religion,  men  are 
hurried  into  some  excesses,  there  is  no  he- 
sitation to  make  due  allowance  for  them. 
But  why  make  religion  an  exception? 
When  it  is  viewed  in  all  its  bearings  upon 
the  weal  or  wo  of  man,  both  for  time  and 
eternity,  who  will  affirm  that  it  is  not  of  a 
character  to  take  a  powerful  hold  upon  a 
person  of  strong  susceptibilities  ?  Such  a 
person  was  Mr.  Sluyter  :  but  the  extremes 
to  which  in  any  instance  he  was  carried, 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  71 

did  not  militate  against  the  genuineness  of 
the  revivals  of  religion  with  which  the 
church  of  Claverack  was  blessed.  That 
they  were  the  work  of  God,  is  proved  by 
the  many  living  fruits  of  them  by  which  it 
is  now  adorned  and  strengthened,  as  well 
as  by  the  holy  and  useful  lives  of  many 
who  have  "  fallen  asleep  in  Jesus." 


-Mv'Ml 


^* 


CHAPTER  V. 

The  light  in  which  Mr.  S.  is  presented  as  a  preacher — Repntatiftn 
as  a  preacher — His  own  justification  of  his  course  in  serving  the 
Church  of  Claverack— The  Divine  blessing  attends  it— Character- 
istics of  his  preaching — His  description  of  liimself— Pastoial  qua- 
lifications— His  description  of  liimseH— Attachment  to  his  own 
church— Introduces  two  of  his  spiritual  children  into  the  ministry 
—Rev.  B  B.  Wcstfall— His  death— His  resemblance  to  Mr.  S.— 
Mr.  Sluyter's  comparative  inefficiency  in  prosecuting  works  of 
benevolence— The  cause  of  it— His  own  view  of  his  success— Con- 
stituted his  own  biographer. 

The  view  which  has  been  given  of  Mr. 
Sluyler's  ministrations  in  the  church  of 
Claverack,  exhibits  him  in  the  threefold 
light  of  a  laborious,  faithful  and  successful 
preacher.  Some  ministers  are  laborious, 
but  are  wanting  in  fidelity.  Some  are  suc- 
cessful, as  the  result  of  the  labours  of  their 
brethren.  Some  are  faithful  in  proclaim- 
ing God's  truth,  but  are  neither  laborious 
nor  successful.  Some  blend  with  fidelity 
in  declaring  the  whole  counsel  of  God,  un- 
tiring diligence  in  their  work,  and  yet  are 
permitted  to  see  very  few  fruits  of  il.    But 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  73 

it  is  only  occasionally  one  is  seen  in  whose 
ministry  these  are  combined.  Indeed, 
with  many  the  want  of  success  apparently 
causes  very  little  solicitude.  They  say, 
and  say  truly,  that  the  promises  of  God 
are  made  to  the  faithful  servant,  and  hence 
their  acceptance  with  God,  and  their  re- 
ward, are  not  suspended  upon  the  fruits 
of  their  ministrations,  be  they  few  or  many. 
It  is  written,  and  this  suffices  for  them, 
*'  Be  thou  faithful  unto  death,  and  I  will 
give  thee  a  crown  of  life."  This  kind  of 
reasoning,  resting  upon  a  scriptural  basis, 
may  be  carried  too  far  ;  and  its  eiFect  may 
be  both  to  diminish  the  sense  of  obligation 
to  strive  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  and  to 
cause  the  truth  to  be  so  presented  to  men, 
as  to  awaken  in  them  scarcely  any  inte- 
rest in  regard  to  eternal  things.  For  while 
it  is  proper  (ministerial  success  being  de- 
pendent upon  the  blessing  of  God)  that  the 
faithful  servant  should  be  rewarded,  yet  it 
is  difficult  to  conceive  how  a  minister  can 
establish  for  himself  this  character,  and 
still  be  indifferent  as  it  respects  being  suc- 

7 


;^     »  MEMOIR    OF 

cessful.  He  is  likened  to  a  sower,  and  the 
seed  which  he  sows  is  the  word  of  God  ; 
but  when  the  sower  has  deposited  his 
seed  in  the  prepared  earth,  does  he,  because 
its  germinating  and  yielding  fruit  are  re- 
sults which  God  only  can  accomplish,  feel 
no  solicitude  to  receive  a  return  for  his  la- 
bour in  a  bountiful  harvest?  He  is  also 
compared  to  a  fisherman  ;  and  in  this  cha- 
racter he  casts  the  gospel  net :  but  does 
not  the  fisherman  show  concern,  lest  he 
may  toil  and  catch  nothing  ?  He  is  also 
called  an  ambassador ;  and  as  such  his 
business  is  to  "  beseech  "  men,  "  in  Christ's 
stead,  be  ye  reconciled  to  God  :"  but  does 
an  ambassador,  in  the  execution  of  his 
highly  responsible  trust,  discard  from  his 
mind  all  ideas  of  success,  and  aim  at  no- 
thing beside  being  faithful  ?  If  then  the 
sower,  the  fisherman  and  the  ambassador, 
to  whom  the  minister  of  the  gospel  is  liken- 
ed, while  labouring  faithfully  in  their  re- 
spective vocations,  keep  constantly  in  view 
success,  and  in  the  hope  and  prospect  of 
this  find  themselves  stimulated  and  encou- 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  75 

raged,  how  can  ministers  reconcile  it  to 
their  consciences,  their  obligations,  their 
relations,  their  characters,  and  the  design 
of  their  commission  to  preach  the  gospel, 
to  say  they  are  concerned  only  about  fide- 
lity in  their  work  ?  Are  they  sure  that  this 
can  exist  to  the  degree  to  entitle  them  to 
be  received  at  last  with  the  plaudit,  "  Well 
done  good  and  faithful  servant,"  provided 
they  are  not  intent  upon  being  successful  ? 
So  thought  not  Mr.  Shiyter;  and  the  result 
has  been  summarily  given  in  preceding 
chapters.  As  Abraham,  when  he  had 
made  supplication  in  behalfof  Sodom  and 
Gomorrah,  to  see  what  had  been  its  suc- 
cess, "gat  up  early  in  the  morning  to  the 
place  where  he  had  stood  before  the  Lord, 
and  looked  toward  Sodom  and  Gomorrah, 
and  toward  all  the  land  of  the  plain,"  so 
Mr.  Siuyter  looked  to  see  the  truth,  which 
he  had  preached,  and  for  the  success  of 
which  he  had  prayed  and  wept,  take  effect 
in  the  consciences  and  hearts  of  men,  and 
to  produce  in  them  conformity  to  the  will 
of  God.     Nor  did  he  look  in  vain.  : 


^#  MEMOIR    OF 

As  a  preacher,  Mr.  Sluyter  did  not  oc- 
cupy a  prominent  position  in  the  public 
estimation,  nor  even  the  position  to  which 
he  was  justly  entitled.  This  was  in  part 
owing  to  himself,  as  he  concedes  in  a  ser- 
mon which  he  preached  on  the  anniversary 
of  the  twenty-fourth  year  of  his  ministry. 
Adverting  to  the  sphere  which  he  had 
been  called  by  the  church  of  Claverack  to 
occupy,  he  says — "  This  course  of  daily 
duties,  and  almost  daily  preaching,  seems 
to  have  arisen  from  the  necessity  of  the 
case.  The  extent  of  the  charge,  and  the 
wants  of  the  people,  presented  calls  faster 
than  they  could  be  reasonably  answered  ; 
and  I  do  frankly  confess  to  you  that  I  have 
frequently  been  constrained,  under  these 
circumstances,  to  neglect  the  preparation 
of  my  Sabbath  exercises,  contrary  both  to 
principle  and  inclination.  And  I  am  fully 
sensible  that  with  respect  to  those  who 
are  ignorant  of  the  labours  and  difficulties 
of  the  ministry,  sufficient  allowances  have 
not  been  made  for  any  short  comings  in 
these  exercises.     It  would  have  been  to 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  77 

my  interest,  honour  and  ease,  to  have  de- 
voted my  whole  time  to  preparations  for 
the  pulpit,  but  numerous  families  and  in- 
dividuals in  every  section  of  the  congrega- 
tion, who  were  destitute  of  the  means  to 
come  to  church,  presented  their  claims  for 
lectures  in  their  own  neighbourhoods,  and 
I  have  yielded  to  their  wants  and  wishes 
be3^ond  what  might  be  considered  in  the 
opinion  of  some  either  my  duty  or  interest." 
Doubtless,  he  did  so  yield ;  and  yet  the 
circumstances  of  the  case  were  such,  that 
where  they  are  understood  it  is  presumed 
that  fev/  will  censure  him  for  preaching  too 
much,  and  being  too  much  out  of  his  study. 
He  acted  in  view  of  facts,  of  which  the 
most  of  those  who  think  he  ought  to  have 
confined  himself  more  to  his  Sabbath  per- 
formances are  ignorant ;  and  though  to 
these,  in  some  instances,  he  may  have  at- 
tached undue  importance,  yet  situated  as 
he  was,  it  is  believed  that  in  the  main  his 
action  was  right.  Beside,  whatever  may 
be  thought  of  his  laying  less  stress  upon 
his  reputation  as  a  preacher  than  upon  the 


7S  MEMOIR    OF 

salvation  of  the  flock  whose  oversight  had 
been  committed  to  him,  it  is  certain  that 
God  in  several,  and  memorable  instances, 
set  upon  It  the  seal  of  his  approval.  "  His 
sermonSj  v»diich  never  drew  forth  the  ap- 
probation of  the  m.ultitude,"  with  the  bless- 
ing of  God  upon  them,  efFected'what  is  far 
more  desirable,  namely,  the  building  up  of 
christians  on  their  most  holy  faith,  and  the 
conversion  of  sinners. 

As  it  regards  the  distinguishing  charac- 
teristics of  Mr.  Sluyter's  preaching,  they 
may  be  summed  up  in  three  words — plain- 
ness, directness  and  fervour.  He  never 
sought  to  wrap  up  his  meaning  in  a  mul- 
titude of  words,  and  with  a  view  to  divest 
the  truth  of  its  native  force  and  pungency. 
He  never  preached  about  his  hearers,  but 
at  them.*  He  considered  them  as  beiuQ- 
each  a  candidate  for  eternity — as  each  pos- 
sibly listening  to  the  last  message  which 


*  An  i>\d  elder,  long  since  deceased,  used  to  say,  "the 
difficulty  with  Mr.  Sluyter  when  he  preaches,  is,  that  it  is 
just  as  if  lie  says,  you." 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  79 

ihey  might  receive  from  his  lips,  and  aim- 
ed to  make  the  *'  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus," 
bear  directly  upon  them.  His  own  feel- 
ings also  became  so  excited  by  the  sub- 
jects which  he  discussed,  the  persons 
whom  he  addressed,  and  his  knowledge 
that  both  he  and  they  would  soon  be  ming- 
ling in  eternal  scenes,  that  his  manner 
and  lano^uaire  were  earnest  and  impassion- 
ed,  and  fixed  the  attention  of  his  hearers. 
In  fine,  he  seemed  to  realize  that  he  was 
preaching  for  eternity,  and  had  no  time  to 
*'  sugarcoat"  the  truth,  to  render  it  more 
palatable  to  the  fastidious  and  vitiated 
taste  of  some  of  his  hearers. 

As,  however,  IMr.  Sluyter  has  well  de- 
scribed himself,  in  a  charge  which  he  deli- 
vered to  the  Rev.  G.  I.  Garretson  at  the 
time  of  his  ordination  and  installation  over 
the  church  of  Stuyvesant,  it  is  preferred 
to  let  him,  in  his  own  words,  give  his  idea 
of  the  style  of  preaching  and  the  manner 
of  performing  the  duty  which  is  suited  to 
the  pulpit.  He  said  :  "  But  whatever  du- 
ties, either  public  or  private,  call  for  your 


80  MEMOIR  OF 

attention  in  this  great  embassage,  remem- 
ber that  you  are  not  your  own  ;  and  as  an 
incentive  to  setting^  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
always  before  you,  recollect  that  your 
work  is  not  yours,  but  his  that  sent  you. 
Be  not  afraid,  therefore,  to  tell  men  of 
every  description,  of  their  total  depravity 
by  nature,  and  that  they  are  lying  under  a 
dispensation  of  wrath  while  they  are  stran- 
gers to  the. love  of  Christ.  Never  be  guilty 
of  softening  down  the  terrific  denuncia- 
tions of  God's  word  for  fear  of  leaving  a 
gloomy  impression  upon  the  minds  of  your 
hearers,  by  telling  them  you  hope  better 
things  of  them,  and  things  which  accom- 
pany salvation,  though  you  thus  speak." 
But  cease  not  to  persecute  the  impenitent 
with  the  tempest,  and  make  them  afraid 
with  the  thunders  and  the  storm  of  Sinai, 
until  they  repair  to  Mount  Calvary  and 
take  refuge  under  the  banners  of  the  Sa- 
viour's cross.  Maintain  with  fidelity  the 
infinite  perfections  of  God  your  Saviour, 
and  oppose  with  promptitude  and  firmness 
any  doctrine  which  militates  against  them. 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER,  81 

Be  not  backward  to  preach  the  self-deny- 
in  2:  and  humblinc;  doctrines  of  free  and 
sovereign  grace,  however  unpalatable  they 
may  be  to  some,  or  whatever  your  faith- 
fulness may  cost  you.  Warn  sinners 
boldly  of  every  danger.  Strive  to  displace 
the  hypocrite  from  his  false  foundation, 
and  the  wicked  from  their  '  refuges  of  lies.' 
Give  them  no  peace  until  they  are  brought 
trembling  and  humbled  at  the  feet  of  Je- 
sus, collected  and  in  their  right  mind ; 
then,  and  not  till  then,  apply  the  balm  of 
Gilead  to  their  wounded  hearts,  and  lead 
them  to  the  peaceful  sanctuary  of  grace. 
In  discharging  these  duties,  remember  that 
you  are  not  at  liberty  to  '  confer  w^Ith  flesh 
and  blood.'  The  command  of  your  Mas- 
ter is,  Go  preach  the  gospel,  and  wo  unto 
you  if  you  do  it  not."  The  foregoing  is 
conceived  to  be  a  good  description  of  Mr. 
Sluyter  as  a  preacher — a  description  whose 
accuracy  in  its  several  parts  w^ill  be  dis- 
cerned without  effort  by  all  who  are  fami- 
liar with  his  style  and  manner. 

Before  passing  from  the  subject  of  Mr. 


S2  MEMOIR  OF 

Sluyter  as  a  preacher,  it  is  proper  to  re- 
mark, that  it  was  less  by  his  preaching  on 
the  Sabbath,  than  by  his  lectures  during 
the  week,  that  he  commended  himself  to 
the  people.  "He  was  never  more  ele- 
vated," observes  Mr.  Westfall,  "  tlian  in 
the  lecture-room  or  private  house,  where 
'the  neighbours  were  assembled.  It  was 
here  that  he  would  discourse  of  heaven 
and  hell,  and  bring  eternity  near  to  the 
view  of  his  hearers,  while  his  own  soul 
would  yearn  over  sinners  ready  to  perish." 
But  it  is  not  simpl}^  in  his  character  as 
a  preacher,  that  we  are  called  to  con- 
template Mr.  Sluyter.  He  was  also  a 
pastor ;  and  his  success  in  "  breakhig  the 
bread  of  life,"  was  interwoven  with  the 
discharge  of  pastoral  duties.  That  he 
possessed  rare  qualifications  for  their  per- 
formance is  undeniable.  Few  pastors 
have  ever  surpassed  him  in  ability  and 
tact  to  accommodate  themselves  to  per- 
sons of  ail  ranks  and  descriptions  of  cha- 
racter ;  to  disarm  them  of  all  opposition, 
and  to  convince    them    of  the   solicitude 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  S3 

which  he  felt  for  them,  especially  in  view 
of  coming  reckonings  at  the  bar  of  God. 
Of  this  truth,  the  conviction  will  doubtless 
be  deeper  when  the  following,  from  the  an- 
niversary sermon  before  referred  to,  is  read. 
''Entering  the  field,  labour  presented  it- 
self on  every  side.  The  living  soul  and 
the  dead  body  pressed  upon  me  a  load  of 
duty.  Instructing  the  ignorant,  directing 
the  inquiring,  comforting  the  sorrowful, 
and.  burying  the  dead,  were  among  my 
daily  employments.  Most  of  you  know 
after  what  manner  I  have  been  with  you  in 
these  various  duties.  In  seasons  of  afflic- 
tion I  have  pressed  you  to  the  bosom  of 
sympathy  ;  in  times  of  sore  grief  hushed 
the  sigh  of  sorrow,  and  wiped  the  falling 
tear  :  and  in  all  seasons,  my  willingness 
to  be  with  you  has  been  greater  than  my 
abilities.  I  have  taught  you  publicty,  and 
from  house  to  house  ;  and  few  that  have 
attended  my  public  instructions  have  es- 
caped my  private  admonition  and  advice." 
Preaching,  lecturing  and  discharging 
pastoral  duties,  however,  do  not  comprise 


84  ;i2I  ■        MEMOIR  OF 

the  whole  of  a  minister's  work.  In  addi- 
tion, but  yet  in  subordination  to  it,  it  is 
incumbent  on  him  to  cooperate  with  others 
in  sustaining  the  cause  of  benevolence 
through  the  medium  both  of  the  institutions 
which  his  own  church  has  originated,  and 
also  of  those  which  are  of  a  general  cha- 
racter, and  not  in  conflict  either  in  design 
or  operation  wdth  the  former.  For  in 
churches,  as  in  families,  the  principle 
holds  good  that  provision  must  first  be 
made  for  our  ov/n ;  but  this  does  not  ne- 
cessarily restrict  our  benevolent  feelings 
and  efforts  to  our  own  denomination.  And 
this  truth  was  illustrated  in  the  case  of 
Mr.  Sluyter.  His  attachment  to  his  own 
church  was  strong  and  abiding,  and  was 
the  result  not  merely  of  feeling,  but  also 
of  conviction.  Her  doctrines,  government 
and  order,  commended  themselves  to  him, 
because  he  believed  them  to  be  conform- 
able to  the  word  of  God.  And  in  this  fact 
we  have  the  key  to  that  self-sacrificing 
spirit  which  induced  him,  to  an  extent 
which  is  not  usual,  to  merge  his  personal 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  85 

feelings  and  interests  in  her  welfare.  In- 
deed, few  ministers  have  exhibited  in 
greater  strength  and  fervour  that  "  domes- 
tic feeling,"  which  is  requisite  as  well  to 
the  peace  as  the  prosperity  of  a  church. 

As  it  regards  his  efforts  to  extend  the 
church  by  new  organizations,  he  says,  in 
his  anniversary  sermon,  "  I  have  organized 
three  Reformed  Dutch  churches  under  the 
direction  of  Classis,  namely,  Ghent,  Hud- 
son* and  Mellenville,  which  have  been 
raised  principally  by  the  influence  and  in- 
strumentality of  the  ministry  of  this  church ; 
and  the  greater  part  of  the  members,  by 
which  they  were  originally  constituted, 
were  dismissed  from  this  church. "t     Sub- 


*  Second  Church,  Claverack. 

t  On  the  subject  of  organizing  a  church  in  Hudson,  in 
May,  1835,  Mr.  Shiyter  wrote  as  follows  :— "  The  enter- 
prize  of  a  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  Hudson,  you  have 
no  doubt  seen  stated  in  the  Christian  Intelligencer.  This, 
you  remember,  has  been  a  subject  long  talked  of  by  me, 
and  we  have  spoken  together  about  it.  Since  the  thing 
was  first  started  last  winter,  there  have  been  several  wa- 
aing  periods^  in  which  the  whole  project  was  well  nigh 

S     ■ 


86  MEMOIR  OP 

sequently  Mr.  Sluyter  became  the  leading 
agent  in  the  establishment  of  the  church  of 
Chatham.  Its  pastor,  the  Rev.  E.  S.  Por- 
ter, basing  his  testimony  upon  what  he 
had  learned  verbally  from  members  of  the 
Classis,  and  also  from  Mr.  S.,  says  :  *'  In 
the  autumn  of  1841,  Mr.  Sluyter,  acting 
upon  information  which  he  received  from 
Chatham,  addressed  a  communication  to 
the  Rev.  Classis  of  Rensselaer  on  the  sub- 
ject  of  establishing  a  missionary  at  this 
place,  with  the  view  to  the  erection  of  the 
church.  The  proposition  did  not  fully 
meet  the  concurrence  of  Classis  ;  and  as 
Mr.  Sluyter  was  unwell,  and  not  able  to 
attend  the  session  of  the  body,  a  decisive 
measure  was  postponed  until  the  next 
meeting.  A  committee  of  Classis  was, 
however,  appointed,  of  which  Mr.  Sluyter 
was  chairman,  to  visit  this  place  and  re- 
port concerning  the  feasibihty  of  the  en- 


abandoned  ....  You  would  be  quite  surprised  to  hear 
how  many,  and  who,  are  in  favour  of  this  undertaking  in 
Hudson.    I  am  pretty  strong  in  the  faith  of  their  success.'^ 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  ST 

terprise.  At  the  meeting  of  the  following 
sj^ring,  (1842,)  the  committee  reported  fa- 
vourably. Some  members  of  Classis  still 
feared  the  failure  of  the  proposed  effort. 
But  Mr.  Sluyter,  with  others,  were  san- 
guine, and  proposed  that  at  least  an  effort  be 
made,  which  was  agreed  upon."  After  sta- 
ting that  as  the  fruit  of  this  effort,  he  was  in- 
vited to  commence  his  ministry  there,  that 
*'the  church  was  organized  January  22d, 
1843,"  and  a  church  built  and  dedicated 
the  following  October,  Mr.  Porter  adds  : 
"  And  from  the  date  of  the  completion  of 
our  building,  this  church  has  amply  sus- 
tained the  gospel,  without  any  assistance 
from  any  foreign  source.  Much,  under 
God,  is  undoubtedly  due  to  the  agency  of 
Mr.  Sluyter  in  this  work." 

In  addition  to  organizing  new  churches, 
Mr.  Sluyter  was  instrumental  in  inducing 
two  of  his  spiritual  children  to  devote 
themselves  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry. At  the  time  of  his  death,  one  of 
them,  the  Rev.  B.  B.  Westfall,  had  ceased 
from  his  work  on  earth,  and  was  in  daily 


88  MEMOIR    OF 

expectation  of  the  summons  "  to  depart 
and  be  with  Christ,  which  is  far  better." 
He  however  lingered  on,  until  the  27th  of 
the  following  April,  when  he  died.  "  He 
looked  forward,"  it  is  said,  "  to  his  end 
with  great  composure,  enjoying  the  pre- 
sence of  his  Master,  and  a  well-grounded 
hope  of  exchanging  the  earthly  house  of 
this  tabernacle  for  a  building  of  God,  a 
house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
heavens."*  In  the  spirit  of  fervid  devotion 
to  the  work  of  preaching  *'  Christ  and  him 
crucified,"  in  fidelity  in  declaring  the 
''  whole  counsel  of  God,"  and  in  the  success 
which  attended  his  ministrations,  there  were 
strong  points  of  resemblance  between  him 
and  Mr.  Siuyter.  The  writer  is  the  other 
individual  whom  Mr.  Siuyter  encouraged 
by  his  advice,  by  his  personal  influence 
and  aid,  in  prosecuting  studies  with  a  view 
to  the  ministry.  But  of  himself  he  may 
not  speak. 

In  sustainino:  the  benevolent  institutions 

*  Christian  Intelligencer,  18th  May,  1844. 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  89 

of  the  church,  Mr.  Sluyter  did  not  fully 
meet  the  expectations  of  man}'-  who 
knew  the  resources  which  existed  among 
his  people.  The  reason  of  this  was,  nei- 
ther want  of  interest  in  them,  nor  failure 
to  perceive  their  connection  with  the  ex- 
tension and  prosperity  of  the  church.  The 
former  he  felt,  and  the  latter  he  clearly 
discerned.  He  knew  also  the  value  of 
system  in  conducting  benevolent  opera- 
tions, and  made  sundry  attempts  at  esta- 
blishing it ;  but  he  was  not  himself  a  sys- 
tematic man.  Beside  being  in  a  high  de- 
gree impulsive  in  his  acts,  he  was  not  con- 
stant in  adhering  to  the  plans  which  he 
had  formed,  when  their  novelty  ceased  to 
attract  the  attention  of  the  people,  and 
their  interest  in  them  began  to  flag.  Hence 
his  comparative  inefficiency  in  carrying 
forward  among  the  people  of  his  charge 
works  of  benevolence,  having  respect  to 
the  accomplishment  of  good  through  the 
medium  of  the  institutions  of  his  own 
church. 

A  like  inefficiency  characterized  his  ef- 
8* 


PI  MEMOIR   OF 

forts  in  sustaining  the  cause  of  benevo- 
lence in  its  more  general  aspects.  When 
it  was  presented  to  him,  he  embarked  in 
it  with  his  whole  soul.  He  was  literally 
'•  ready  to  every  good  work,"  and  endea- 
voured to  bring  up  the  people  to  the  pro- 
per standard  of  feeling  and  liberality.  In 
his  anniversary  sermon  he  thus  discoursed 
to  them :  "  Every  benevolent  institution 
must  secure  your  cordial  support,  espe- 
cially the  Sabbath  School,  the  Tract,  the 
Missionary,  Bible,  and  Temperance  So- 
cieties. Christians  are  bound  to  cherish 
in  their  hearts  a  kind  and  faithful  regard 
to  these  institutions,  and  to  go  on  to  their 
support,  and  to  the  support  of  the  gospel 
at  home,  as  though  the  spring  of  action 
was  in  their  own  breasts,  and  not  alone  in 
the  motion  of  their  pastor." 

Notice  has  already  been  taken  of  the 
fact  that  Mr.  Sluyter  never  sought  noto- 
riety for  himself,  by  publishing  to  the 
world  what  God,  through  his  agency  ef- 
fected, in  saving  the  lost.  Some,  perhaps, 
may  wish  to  know  how  he  felt,  in  view  of 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  91 

the  blessing  of  God  upon  his  ministrations, 
and  the  means  to  gratify  them  are  at  hand. 
In  his  anniversary  sermon,  after  giving  an 
account  of  his  labours  and  their  results,  he 
says  :  ^'  But  the  estimate  of  success  must 
be  referred  to  the  great  day  of  retribution. 
*  In  the  time  of  harvest  God  will  say  to 
the  reapers.  Gather  ye  together  first  the 
tares,  and  bind  them  in  bundles  to  be 
burned,  but  gather  the  wheat  into  my 
barn.'  If  there  should  be  one  that  has  re~ 
ceived  his  religious  impressions,  and  has 
been  brought  to  embrace  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  by  my  ministry,  I  am  more  than 
compensated  for  all  the  labour  which  I 
have  performed  in  this  part  of  the  vine- 
yard. Yes,  it  was  indeed  w^orth  while 
that  I  should  be  brought  into  being,  and 
placed  in  this  holy  office,  if  my  Redeemer 
has  been  pleased  to  use  my  feeble,  unskil- 
ful hand,  to  save  one  soul  from  eternal  wo. 
This  is  a  more  noble  and  truly  benevolent 
work  than  to  save  an  empire  from  the  hea- 
viest temporal  bondage.  No  earthly  trou- 
ble or  calamity  can  equal  the  misery  of  a 


•32  MEMOIR  OF 

soul  that  has  no  God,  and  no  temporal 
prosperity,  though  it  be  the  possession  of 
the  whole  world,  with  all  its  glory,  can 
compensate  the  loss  of  the  soul. 

"  If  there  be  some  reason  to  hope  that  a 
degree  of  success  has  attended  my  minis- 
terial labours  in  this  region,  the  glory  be- 
longs to  Him  who  *  commanded  the  light 
to  shine  out  of  darkness,'  for  it  has  been 
amid  many  discouraging  circumstances. 
I  have  hoped  against  hope  for  success,  and 
toiled  against  a  mighty  tide  of  opposition." 

A  brief  sketch  has  now  been  given  of 
the  life  of  Mr.  Sluyter,  in  its  connection 
with  the  discharge  of  his  official  duties  as 
the  servant  of  God  in  the  gospel  of  his 
Son.  In  it,  the  aim  has  been,  as  far  as 
this  was  practicable,  to  make  him  his  own 
biographer ;  and  he  appears  to  the  more 
advantage  in  this  character,  because  he 
never  had  an  idea  of  assuming  it.  To  pre- 
sent himself  and  his  labours  to  posterity 
in  a  favourable  point  of  view,  could  not 
therefore  have  been  his  object  in  what  has 
been  spread  out  on  preceding  pages.    And 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  93 

the  writer,  in  his  own  remarks,  has  endea- 
voured to  guard  against  acting  the  part  of 
the  mere  eulogist.  He  holds  in  grateful 
remembrance  his  spiritual  father  and 
friend,  and  "elder  brother  in  the  Lord,'* 
but  is  persuaded  that  he  never  could  have 
obtained  his  cousent  to  set  before  the  pub- 
lic a  one-sided  view  of  his  ministerial  cha- 
racter and  acts,  and  to  ascribe  to  him  ex- 
cellencies and  perfections  of  which  he  him- 
self had  no  consciousness.  Beside,  the 
attempt  to  do  this  could  not  fail  to  be  un- 
successful, especially  as  far  as  the  people 
are  concerned,  to  whom  for  twenty-eight 
years  he  had  "  gone  preaching  the  king- 
dom of  God."  They  **  know  from'  the 
first  day  that"  he  "  came  into  Claverack, 
after  what  manner"  he  was  "  among 
them  at  all  seasons." 


m 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Mr.  S.  in  the  walks  of  private  life— As  a  companion  and  friend— 
As  a  husband  and  father— Proof  that  he  took  a  proper  interest 
in  the  well-being  of  his  children. 

It  remains  that  our  attention  be  direct- 
ed to  Mr.  Sluyter  in  the  walks  of  private 
life.  And  there  is  the  more  need  of  this, 
because  the  character,  temper,  sentiments 
and  feelings  of  a  man  cannot  be  correctly 
inferred  from  his  public  official  acts.  Many 
things  may  combine  to  make  him  assume 
abroad,  what  at  home,  or  among  intimate 
friends  he  disregards,  or  even  treats  with 
contempt.  His  place,  its  honours  and 
emoluments,  and  his  influence  to  a  greater 
or  less  degree,  depend  upon  the  light  in 
which  he  presents  himself  to  others  in  the 
execution  of  his  trust.  Hence,  what  he 
does,  may  be  done  "  to  be  seen  of  men," 
and  with  the  express  purpose  of  retaining 
their  favour  and  confidence.  To  estimate 
men  aright,  therefore,  we  must  pass  with 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  95 

them  from  the  scenes  where  it  is  possible^ 
yea,  probable,  that  selfish  considerations 
are  often  the  basis  of  action,  to  those  in 
which  their  influence  ceases  to  be  felt,  and 
they  unmask  and  exhibit   themselves    as 
they  are.     For  they  cannot  always,  and 
in  all  places,  so  wear  their  disguise,  as  to 
hide  from  others  their  true  character,  and 
the  motives  which  actuate  them.    Accord- 
ingly, when  in  public  our  minds  are  fa- 
vourably impressed  in  their  behalf,  usually 
we  desire  to  know,  whether  in  retirement 
they  sustain  the  same  character,  and  give 
like  cause  for  our  approval  of  their  doings. 
The  lawfulness  and  propriety  of  this  de- 
sire, as  it  regards  Mr.  Sluyter,  is  conceded^ 
and  the  endeavour  will  be  made  to  gra- 
tify it.  h/   f-!  ■;    r  ' 
In  his  private  and  social  relations  and 
intercourse  he  was  frank,    dignified  and 
courteous.     He  was  agreeable  as  a  com- 
panion, and  devoted  as  a  friend.    He  was, 
beside,    unsuspicious,    and    possessed   in 
large  measure  that  *'  charity  which  think- 
eth  no  evil/'  and  hence  was  sometimes 


in  MEMOIR    OF 

imposed  upon  by  what  was  the  bare  resem- 
blance of  these  things  in  others,  and  too 
readily,  as  he  learned  by  painful  expe- 
rience, admitted  them  to  his  fellowship 
and  confidence.  And  to  his  disposition  to 
rely  upon  what  in  men  appeared  to  be  sin- 
cerity and  honour,  and  friendship  and  af- 
fection, some  of  his  severest  trials  are  trace- 
able. It  is  due  to  him,  however,  to  say, 
that  in  his  private  and  social  intercourse 
with  others,  he  never  Jost  sight  of  what  be- 
came him  as  the  minister  of  Jesus  Christ, 
nor  failed,  as  occasion  offered,  to  display 
his  concern  for  their  salvation. 

In  his  domestic  relations,  he  was  the 
common  centre  of  attraction  to  his  house- 
hold, and  lived  and  acted  under  a  sense  of 
his  responsibility ;  and  while  he  aimed 
to  make  provision  for  their  comfortable 
maintenance,  he  forgot  not  that  their  spiri- 
tual and  eternal  interests  were  measurably 
committed  to  his  keeping.  As  a  husband, 
in  person,  in  address,  in  ^'  qualities  of  head 
and  heart,"  he  was  such  as  endeared  him 
to  the  partner  of  his  life,  its  cares  and  its 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  97 

duties.  He  gave  "  honour  to  the  wife,  as 
to  the  weaker  vessel ;"  consulted  her  in- 
terest, comfort  and  happiness  ;  counselled, 
aided  and  encouraged  her  in  her  domestic 
and  maternal  avocations ;  sympathized 
with  her,  and  solaced  her  in  seasons  of 
aflliction,  and  practically  taught  her  the 
lesson  of  submission  to  the  will  of  God. 
As  a  father,  he  took  an  enlarged  view  of 
his  duty;  and  of  him  it  cannot  be  said, 
that  while  he  was  anxious  for  the  salva- 
tion.of  others,  he  overlooked  his  own  chil- 
dren and  domestics.  He  regarded  him- 
self as  their  teacher  and  guide ;  and  be- 
lieving that  well-ordered  communities  and 
prosperous  churches  are  the  fruits  of  care- 
fully instructed  and  wisely  governed  fami- 
lies, he  strove  to  "  command  his  children 
and  his  household  after  him."  In  fine, 
he  practically  recognised  the  truth,  that, 
through  the  medium  of  the  parental  rela- 
tion, God  designs  that  children  shall  be 
trained  up  for  usefulness  on  earth  and  hap- 
piness in  heaven.  He  did  not,  therefore, 
suppose  with  some  that  his  only  business 
9 


It  MEMOIR   OP 

was  to  educate  his  children  for  the  several 
stations  to  which,  in  this  life,  they  were 
destined  or  might  be  called.  Import- 
ant as  he  considered  this  work,  and  zea- 
lously as  he  laboured  to  effect  it,  he  yet 
held  it  to  be  subordinate  to  that  of  teaching 
them  *'  the  fear  of  the  Lord." 

In  proof  of  the  foregoing  remarks,  and 
to  show  how  on  various  occasions  he  dis- 
played his  interest  in  them,  and  in  what 
affected  them  for  good  or  evil,  and  urged 
them  to  make  God  their  trust,  some  ex- 
tracts  from  his  letters  will  now  be  given. 
To  a  son  who  had  recently  left  the  pater- 
nal home,  he  writes,  "I  sincerely  hope, 
and  it  is  my  daily  prayer,  that  you  will  be 
as  faithful  as  time,  and  honest  as  the 
golden  rule,  and  that  you  may  grow  in  ha- 
bits of  virtue  and  piety.  Try,  my  son,  to 
be  useful  where  you  are.  Be  kind  and 
obedient  in  your  station,  social  in  your 
disposition,  and  polite  in  your  manners. 
It  pleased  me  to  learn  that  you  followed  my 
advice  about  reading  a  chapter  in  the  Bi- 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  99 

bie  every  night.  Do  not  forget  to  pray 
that  the  reading  may  be  blessed  to  you." 
To  the  same  son,  in  another  letter,  he 
says,  "  You  must  often  reflect  upon  the 
old  family  altar  around  which  you  have  so 
frequently  bowed  the  knee  of  devotion, 
and  the  many  prayers  w^iich  have  been 
offered  to  God  for  j^our  spiritual  and  tem- 
poral interests.  Indeed,  when  the  thought 
arises  in  my  mind,  in  connection  with  the 
distance  by  which  we  are  now  separated, 
I  am  moved  with  feelings  of  tenderness, 
and  the  tear  of  parental  sensibility  starts 
in  my  eyes.  I  hope,  my  dear  son,  that 
you  will  cherish  a  deep  sense  of  your  de- 
pendence on  God,  and  feel  your  need  of 
religion.  It  is  necessary  to  your  real  com- 
fort in  this  world.  It  will  preserve  you 
from  a  thousand  snares,  and  save  you 
from  temptations.  It  is  the  only  consola- 
tion in  the  hour  of  affliction,  and  the  only 
hope  in  the  hour  of  death.  Yes,  the  hour 
of  death  should  be  kept  in  view  always. 
The  king  of  terrors  is  prowling  for  his 
prey  every  where,  and  none  can  escape 


IflP  MEMOIR,    OF 

his  desolating  stroke.  We  cannot  begin 
too  early  to  prepare  to  meet  God.  May 
the  Lord  help  you  to  feel  a  sense  of  sin, 
and  to  forsake  it,  and  give  your  heart  to 
him." 

When  this  son  had  taken  up  his  resi- 
dence in  New- York,  he  wrote  again,  "  I 
hope  you  are  pleased  with  your  situation, 
and  that  you  may  improve,  and  become  an 
accomplished  clerk  and  a  man  of  business. 

I  suppose  Mr. is  a  very  strict  and 

particular  man.  This  is  the  very  man  to 
make  good  clerks,  and  fit  them  for  busi- 
ness. If  3^ou  should  be  found  fault  with, 
do  not  resent  it,  or  appear  cross  or  pouty. 
Nothing  is  so  hateful  as  such  a  disposition. 

Never  let  either  Mr. ,  or  the  clerks 

above  you,  find  fault  with  you  the  second 
time  for  the  same  thing.  Try  to  gain  the 
confidence  of  your  principal,  and  this  will 
gain  for  you  promotion,  and  consequently 
advantage." 

Again,  on  sending  him  some  new  clothes, 
he  says,  *'  Do  not  forget,  my  son,  that  a 
good  character  is  a  better  ornament  to  you 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  101 

than  fine  clothes.  Therefore  keep  this  in 
mind,  and  above  all,  seek  a  character 
with  God." 

Again,  he  writes,  "  I  hope  you  may  al- 
ways entertain  a  high  sense  of  virtue  and 
honour,  and  aim  to  cultivate  the  one  and 
exemplify  the  other,  in  all  your  dealings 
and  intercourse  with  your  fellow  creatures. 
Your  character  will  he  the  sheet  anchor  of 
your  hope  of  success  and  prosperity  in 
this  world ;  and,  I  trust,  you  have  heard 
enough  of  me,  and  observed  enough  in  the 
course  of  others,  to  shun  every  evil  way, 
and  maintain  a  conscience  void  of  offence 
toward  God  and  toward  men." 

When  this  son  had,  by  a  somewhat  ra- 
pid promotion,  "  succeeded  to  the  first  sta- 
tion in  the  clerkship  of  the  store,"  he  ad- 
dressed  him  thus  :  *'  I  hope,  most  sin= 
cerely,  that  you  may  have  wisdom  enough 
to  retain  the  continued  confidence  of  your 
employer,  and  be  as  faultless  as  the  frailty 
of  human  nature  will  admit.  You  know 
that  your  prospects  in  life  depend  on  your 
character  and  standing  in  society.  Be  as 
9* 


II®  MEMOIR  OF 

attentive,  and  more  so,  than  you  ever 
were.  Our  responsibility  always  increases 
with  the  increase  of  our  standing  and  in- 
fluence in  the  world.  '  Unto  whomsoever 
much  is  given,  of  him  shall  be  much  re- 
quired.' " 

To  another  son  he  writes,  *'  Perhaps  I 
am  more  solicitous  than  I  ought  to  be, 
about  my  children's  welfare  and  prosperi- 
ty in  this  world,  and  not  enough  about 
their  future  salvation.  I  am  anxious  about 
the  one  and  the  other.  The  latter  is  infi- 
nitely more  important  than  the  former,  and 
ought  to  be  the  first  and  great  concern  of 
life  ;  and  it  is  my  daily  prayer  to  God 
that  you  may  be  converted  and  made  a 
child  of  his  family  and  an  heir  of  his 
kingdom." 

In  a  letter  in  which  he  speaks  particu- 
cularlyof  the  blessing  of  God  upon  his  mi- 
nistrations, as  this  was  displayed  in  the 
conversion  of  men,  he  remarks  : 

"  When  I  am  engaged  in  this  labour  for 
the  good  of  souls,  I  often  think  of  my  own 
dear  childrenj  especially  of  you  and  — — , 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  103 

removed  from  these  scenes  of  religious  ex- 
citement, and  say  to  myself,  Oh  that  I 
could  hear  of  their  conversion  to  God  ! 
when  will  they  repent  and  yield  up 
their  hearts  to  the  Lord  ?  Now,  my 
children,  is  the  accepted  time  for  you. 
Oh,  embrace  the  golden  days  of  youth, 
and  these  blessed  means  of  grace,  to  se- 
cure an  interest  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ." 

To  his  oldest  daughter,  subsequently  to 
her  marriage,  he  expresses  his  views  re- 
specting her  duties  in  the  following  appro- 
priate terms  :  "You  will  find  a  very  dif- 
ferent state  of  life  in  your  advanced  rela- 
tions, to  what  you  were  previously  ac- 
quainted with.  When  you  lived  with  your 
parents,  mingling  with  your  brothers  and 
sisters,  you  felt  that  you  was  but  as  one  of 
the  children  ;  and  as  such,  you  involunta- 
rily leaned  upon  your  parents,  like  all 
children,  and  expected  that  every  thing 
would  be  said  and  done  for  you.  *  You 
thought  as  a  child,  and  understood  as  a 
child  ;'  but  now  your  relations  have  chan- 


MS  MEMOm    OF 

ged  ;  responsibilities  devolve  upon  you  as 
Mrs.  — .  They  are  domestic  and  so- 
cial, civil  and  religious.  They  must  be 
met  with  punctuality,  with  suavity,  with 
patience  and  perseverance,  and  will  re- 
quire the  adoption  of  principle  and  the  ar- 
rangement of  system,  if  you  would  estab- 
lish the  desirable  character  of  consistency 
in  the  varied  relations  and  intercourse  of 
life.  But  however  methodical  and  prompt 
you  maybe  in  your  views,  and  resolute  in 
your  determination  to  do  well,  3^ou  must 
remember  that  you  need  the  grace  of  God 
daily,  and  that  without  him  you  can  do 
nothing.  May  he  constantly  '  work  in  you 
both  to  will  and  to  do  of  his  good  plea- 
sure.' And  may  you  and  your  dear  hus- 
band live  together  in  peace  and  love,  and 
f)e  eminently  useful  in  your  day." 

To  the  same  daughter  and  her  husband, 
on  the  birth  of  their  first  child,  he  thus 
wrote  : — "I  present  you  my  most  sincere 
congratulations  in  the  gift  which  Provi- 
dence has  bestowed  upon  you,  even  the 
gift  of  a  lovely  little  daughter,  and  the  ad- 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  105 

dition  of  a  new  relation  to  your  earthly 
state,  even  that  of  parents.  This  is  a  re- 
lation that  cannot  be  sustained  without 
feeling  it.  It  is  one  that  takes  hold  of  the 
heart,  and  can  better  be  experienced  than 
described.  I  hope  you  may,  as  father  and 
mother,  be  able  to  realize  the  great 
weight  of  this  relation,  as  it  relates  to  time 
and  eternity,  and  be  suitably  qualified 
to  bear  the  solemn  responsibilities  there- 
of." 

Again,  after  they  had  buried  a  dear 
child,  he  endeavoured  as  follows  to  act  the 
part  of  '  a  comforter  of  the  mourners'  : — 
*' You  have,  no  doubt,  occasional  emotions 
of  grief  when  your  dear  departed  child 
comes  up  to  your  memory, and  this  is  every 
day,  and  many  times  in  the  day,  but  I  trust 
you  consider  the  Providence,  and  try  to 
improve  it.  '  Shall  we  receive  good  at  the 
hand  of  God,  and  shall  we  not  receive  evil?' 
was  the  reasoning  of  patient  Job,  when  la- 
bouring under  the  afflictive  providence  of 
God.  Surely  w^e  ought  not  to  chide  or 
find  fault  with  the  dealings  of  his  righteous 


iW 


MEMOIR  OF 


hand  upon  us,  for  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth 
cannot  do  but  what  is  right.  The  trial 
teaches  you  to  be  more  humble,  more  holy 
and  faithful  in  Christian  duty  ;  to  live  un- 
der a  daily  sense  of  the  uncertainty  of  life 
and  all  earthly  enjoyments.  Consider  how 
much  better  this  dear  babe  might  be  spared, 
or  more  easily  given  up  than  others  of  your 
little  family  ;  and  though  it  is  hard  to  part 
with  him,  yet  it  is  comforting  to  know  that 
^  he  is  happy,  and  mingles  with  the  spirits 
of  the  blessed  in  heaven,  and  would  say, 
could  he  speak  to  you  now,  '  Weep  not  for 
me,  but  for  yourselves.'  " 

The  following  brief  extract  is  from  a 
letter  addressed  to  a  son-in-law.  It  is 
given,  because  it  shows  that  he  knew  how 
to  appreciate  the  Divine  wisdom  and  good- 
ness in  the  constitution  of  those  diversi- 
fied, intimate  and  endearing  relations, 
which  are  the  fruitful  source  of  much  of 
the  comfort  and  enjoyment  which  are 
found  among  men.  He  says,  *'  The  world 
is  linked  together  very  strangel}^,  by  ties 
of  consanguinity  and  affinity.     How  wise 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  107 

and  good  is  the  Divine  Being,  in  implant- 
ing a  principle  of  nearness  and  affection 
where  they  exist.  May  grace  cement 
every  tie  of  nature,  and  all  our  relatives 
be  kindred  of  the  Lord." 


''.'f 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Disease  of  which  Mr.  S.  dies,  begins  to  be  developed  in  October, 
1842 — His  anticipations  respecting  its  probable  issue— Continues 
in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  until  January,  1843— Preaches  a  full 
sermon  in  June  following— Death  of  a  grandchild — Its  effect  upon 
him— His  disease  erroneously  pronounced  to  be  dyspepsia — Ac- 
count of  its  progress — His  view  of  his  affliction — His  appearance 
on  a  communion  occasion — Travels — Apparent  advantnge  of  this 
— CIocs  to  Saratoga — Unexpected  return — Death — Disease,  "  Can- 
.  cer  of  the  stomach" — During  the  progress  of  his  disease  is  a  great 
sufTcrer — His  carriage  amid  his  sufferings— His  concern  about  his 
family — His  doubts— Their  removal — Takes  leave  of  his  family — 
Closing  scene— Conclusion—  Action  of  tlie  Classis  of  Rensselaer. 

In  October,  1842,  Mr.  Sluyter  began  to 
experience  the  painful  effects  of  the  dis- 
ease which  carried  him  to  his  grave.  At 
the  time,  he  was  on  his  way  to  Hillsdale, 
to  preach.  How  long  previously  it  had 
existed  in  his  system  in  a  state  of  gradual 
developement,  is  not  known.  When  he 
returned  home  he  was  quite  unwell,  and 
not  long  after,  was  in  the  night  violently 
attacked  by  what  was  then  supposed  to  be 
bilious  colic.  In  November,  the  symptoms 
of  his  disease  became  more  alarming  to 
him,  and  he  seriously  thought  that  the  pe- 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  109 

riod  of  his  ministry  was  about  to  close. 
On  the  14th  of  the  month,  in  a  letter  to  his 
son,  he  says,  "  But  I  do  not  wish  you  to 
feel  any  alarm  on  my  account.  I  am  in 
hopes  that  this  bilious  attack  may  pass 
over,  as  you  know  I  am  subject  to  them, 
and  have  from  time  to  time  been  relieved. 
Yet  we  should  all  be  prepared  for  the 
worst,  as  the  time  of  separation  cannot 
be  very  far  distant.  May  you  all  be  brought 
under  the  bonds  of  covenant  love,  and  be 
more  the  Lord's  than  your  own."  Seven 
days  afterward  he  wrote  to  a  son-in- 
law,  as  follows: — "I  have  had  it  strongly 
in  mind  to  visit  you  this  fall,  but  the 
numerous  cares  and  business  daily  occur- 
ring, prevented  me  during  the  month  of 
September  and  the  first  part  of  October. 
Since  I  have  not  been  well  enough  to  leave 
home  for  such  a  journey.  I  have  been  la- 
bouring under  a  torpor  of  the  liver  for  some 
time  past,  and  it  has  rather  increased  up- 
on me  of  late  ;  not  so  as  to  diminish  my 
exercises  as  yet,  but  I  am  sometimes  ap- 
prehensive that  I  shall  not  be  able  to  con- 
10 


110  MEMOIR  OF 

tinue  in  the  ministry  many  years,  if  my 
life  should  be  spared."  Meanwhile,  though 
conscious  that  he  was  a  prey  to  disease,  he 
yet  continued  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties. 
On  the  10th  of  January,  184-3,  when  his 
strength  was  on  the  point  of  giving  way, 
he  wrote  to  a  son,  *'My  own  health  remains 
very  much  as  it  was  when  you  and  James 
were  home.  If  anything,  I  am  sometimes 
encouraged  to  hope  that  I  am  better,  al- 
though my  digestive  organs  are  still  de- 
ranged, and  I  experience  almost  an  entire 
loss  of  appetite.  I  still  continue  to  be 
about,  and  have  thus  far  preached  every 
Sabbath  at  least  once."  When  he  penned 
these  lines  he  w^as  expecting  to  hear  of  the 
death  of  a  little  grandson  who  had  been 
named  after  him,  and  toward  whom  the 
affections  of  his  heart  seem  to  have  been 
drawn  out  in  all  their  strength  and  fervour. 
On  Saturday,  January  13,  his  corpse  was 
brought  up  from  New-York  by  his  afflicted 
father  and  deposited  in  the  parsonage. 
The  next  day  Mr.  S.  preached  for  the  last 
time  in  regular  succession.  Nor  did  he  ever 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  Ill 

afterward,  except  on  one  occasion,  preach 
a  full  sermon,  and  that  was  on  a  Sabbath 
in  June  following.  The  classical  supply* 
did  not  on  that  day  fulfil  his  appointnfient, 
and  he  discoursed  to  the  people  from  John, 
15th  chapter  and  14th  verse,  "  Ye  are  my 
friends  if  ye  do  whatsoever  I  command 
you."  •    •      .-         :         ::.    .i 

The  funeral  of  his  grandson  took  place 
from  the  parsonage  on  the  afternoon  of 
January  14th.  *'  This  providence  was  a 
shock  to  his  feelings  to  which,  perhaps, 
may  be  ascribed  his  sudden  prostration  of 
mind  and  body.  He  never  after  spake  of 
this  darling  boy  without  emotion  and  evi- 
dent sorrow.  On  the  morrow,  after  the 
funeral  obsequies,  he  kept  his  bed  and 
sent  for  his  medical  attendant.  From  this 
time  it  was  manifest  that  the  strong  man 
was  sinking.  He  lost  his  wonted  relish  for 


*  During  a  part  of  the  time  that  Mr.  Sluyter  was  laid 
aside  from  his  labours,  the  congregation  supplied  the  pul- 
pit, and  the  rest  of  the  time  the  Classis  made  arrangement* 
for  this  purpose. 


112  MEMOIR    OF 

society,  sought  retirement,  and  in  his  study 
shut  out  for  a  season  from  the  world's  in- 
tercourse, he  held  close  communion  with 
his  Maker,  reviewed  his  ministry  and 
prayed  for  his  flock  and  family." 

During  the  most  of  the  remainder  of  the 
winter  he  continued  in  the  house.  A  num- 
ber of  physicians  were  consulted  respect- 
ing the  nature  of  his  disease,  and  they 
were  almost  unanimous  in  the  opinion  that 
it  was  dyspepsy,  and  prescribed  accord- 
ingly. On  his  part  were  brought  into  re- 
quisition all  the  resolution  and  energy 
which  were  left,  to  take  such  exercise  as 
was  recommended.  He  sawed  wood,  and 
rode  both  on  horseback  and  in  his  car- 
riage ;  and  yet  his  appetite  did  not  return, 
nor  was  his  strength  recruited.  All  the 
while  he  lost  flesh  rapidly.  His  physi- 
cians, however,  encouraged  him  to  hope 
that  the  return  of  warm  weather  and  tra- 
vel would  restore  to  him  that  priceless 
boon,  health  ;  and  in  March,  he  wrote  to 
a  son,  "  Since  my  last  communication,  my 
health,  compared  with  the    account  then 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  113 

given,  is  rather  favourable.  I  am  still 
very  thin  in  flesh,  but  in  the  general  as- 
pect more  inclined  to  recovery  ;  but  the 
bettering  must,  from  the  state  and  circum- 
stances of  the  case,  be  gradual."  To  a 
son-in-law,  at  a  later  date  in  the  same 
month,  he  wrote,  "  I  have  been  almost 
wholly  confined  to  the  house  since  the  14th 
of  January.  I  have  not  preached  since, 
and  when  I  shall  be  able  to  do  so,  is  at 
present  uncertain.  It  is  not  likely  that  I 
shall  very  soon.  The  church  has  been 
supplied  by  the  dif?»3rent  ministers  of  the 
Classis,  who  have  been  very  kind  and  ac- 
commodating in  my  adversity.  This  is 
truly  a  dark  and  mysterious  providence 
both  to  myself  and  family,  and  the  church 
in  this  place.  What  can  the  Lord  design 
by  this  afflictive  dispensation  ?  To  teach 
us  all  to  withhold  our  trust  from  an  arm 
of  flesh,  and  look  to  God  for  help  and  di- 
rection, both  in  temporal  and  eternal  con- 
cerns. O  that  the  trial  may  be  sanctified 
to  me  and  my  family,  and  to  the  congre- 
gation ;  and  that  it  may  be  good  for  us  to 
10* 


314  MEMOIR   OF 

be  afflicted.  The  doctor  says  that  I  am 
not  in  immediate  danger,  and  that  I  am 
actually  getting  in  a  better  state,  and  when 
the  warm  weather  opens,  I  shall  probably 
recover." 

In  the  foregoing  extract,  Mr.  Sluyter 
speaks  of  his  affliction  as  "  a  dark  and 
mysterious  providence,"  as  it  respected 
himself  and  family,  and  the  church.  He 
seems  to  have  been  specially  exercised  as 
it  regarded  the  purpose  of  God  in  it  with 
reference  to  the  church  ;  and  in  wanting  to 
a  son,  after  saying,  "  There  is  a  great  stir 
in  religion  at  Mellenville,  and  also  at 
Johnstown,"  he  adds  :  "  An  awful  judg- 
ment rests  upon  this  church.  The  lips  of 
their  pastor  are  sealed  ;  and  the  means  of 
grace  almost  entirely  suspended.  Truly 
God  hath  a  controversy  wdth  us  as  minis- 
ter and  people.  Oh  that  I  might  feel  more 
humble,  believe  more  confidently,  and 
submit  more  cheerfully  to  the  Lord's  will, 
and  that  this  people  might  turn  unto  him 
that  smiteth  them." 

To  the  father  of  his  deceased  grandson, 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  115 

in  a  letter  written  in  April,  he  says,  *'  You 
have  heard  from  time  to  time  how  it  has 
been  with  me  for  a  few  months  past ;  how 
I  am  changed  from  a  healthful,  vigorous 
man  to  a  feeble  hypochondriac  or  dys- 
peptic, unable  to  do  scarce  any  thing.  I 
have  not  preached  since  the  solemn  day 
that  you  spent  with  us  when  dear  little 
Richard  was  consigned  to  the  grave." 
The  people,  generally,  not  having  seen 
him  after  he  ceased  to*meet  them  regular- 
ly in  the  sanctuary,  had  no  conception  of 
the  alteration  which,  in  a  couple  of  months 
had  taken  place  in  his  appearance.  Arid 
when  on  the  communion  Sabbath  in  March, 
just  before  the  elements  were  distributed, 
he  entered  the  church,  "  all  eyes  were 
fixed  on  his  pallid  face,  heretofore  over- 
spread when  within  its  doors  with  the  hue 
of  health.  His  visage  spake  in  monitory 
language  to  the  living,  and  what  the  eye 
beheld  affected  the  heart." 

About  the  middle  of  May,  in  compliance 
with  the  advice  of  physicians,  and  the 
wishes  of  friends,  he  left  home  to  visit  his 


116  MEMOIR   OF 

children  in  Nev/-York,  and  Patterson,  N.  J. 
But  with  them  he  did  not  tarry  long  ;  and 
on  his  return  to  Claverack,  his  family  and 
others  thought  he  was  somewhat  improved 
in  health  and  spirits.  Soon,  however,  fa- 
vourable symptoms  disappeared  ;  and  to 
his  wife  he  one  day  remarked,  "  When  it 
was  cold,  the  doctors  said  warm  weather 
would  benefit  me ;  now  it  is  warm,  they 
say  I  must  wait  for  cold  weather,  so  nei- 
ther will  do  it."       A 

As  the  only  alternative,  it  was  resolved 
that  he  should  again  leave  home  ;  and  the 
means  for  the  purpose  w^ere  provided  by 
"  a  few  generous  friends."  His  first  in- 
tention was  to  go  to  the  sea-side,  but  "  a 
medical  friend  urged  a  change  of  purpose, 
judging  him  too  feeble  to  bear  sea  air  or 
bathing,  and  proposed  the  springs."  Ac- 
cordingly, on  the  morning  of  the  12th  of 
July,  accompanied  by  a  friend  and  his 
youngest  son,  he  started  for  Saratoga, 
where  he  arrived  about  five  o'clock,  p.  m. 
The  next  day  he  wrote  to  his  wife,  "  This 
long  journey   in  one  day  very  much  fa- 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  117 

tigued  me  ;  and  had  I  been  free  from  dis- 
ease, rest  would  have  been  very  sweet  last 
night ;  but  disease  destroys  life  and  its 
enjoyments.  I  took  pretty  freely  of  the 
Congress  waters  last  night:  the  flavour  is 
very  delightful  to  me,  but  what  will  be  the 
effect  I  have  yet  to  experience.  I  do  not 
know  that  I  am  any  worse  than  when  I 
left  home  ;  perhaps  the  journey  has  in- 
creased my  strength."  The  following  day 
he  again  addressed  a  brief  note  to  Mrs. 
Sluyter,  in  which  he  says  :  "  As  the  bene 
fit  of  my  health  is  the  sole  object  of  my 
being  here,  the  experiment  is  not  yet  com- 
plete. My  stomach  was  not  in  a  proper 
state  to  receive  the  waters.  That  bloat- 
ing and  tenseness  of  the  abdomen  which 
caused  me  so  much  distress  for  more  than 
a  week  before  I  left  home,  became  intoler- 
able on  the  next  morning  after  drinking 
this  water,  so  that  I  was  obliged  to  send 
for  a  physician  for  advice  as  to  its  use,  and 
of  course  I  have  had  to  undergo  another 
revolution  of  purging  by  salts  and  magne- 
sia, which  made  me  very  sick  yesterday. 


lis  MEMOIR    OF 

To-day  I  am  some  better,  having  been 
thoroughly  evacuated,  and  drank  two  bot- 
tles of  the  Congress  water  this  morning 
before  breakfast ;  but,  notwithstanding, 
the  soreness  and  bloating  continue  to  a 
certain  extent.  If  spared,  I  wish  to  con- 
tinue some  days  longer  and  make  a  fair 
trial.  I  have  not  been  in  the  baths  as  yet. 
I  have  a  hope  that  the  warm  bath  of  these 
medicinal  waters  may  help  me.  I  am 
waiting  to  see  the  doctor  on  the  sub- 
ject." 

His  expectations  from  the  warm  baths 
were  not  realized.  *'  The  swelling  of  his 
extremities  and  bowels  commenced  in  a 
warm  bath  ;"  and  his  physician.  Dr.  Free- 
man, advised  him  immediately  to  return 
to  his  family.  By  them  his  arrival  was 
not  expected  ;  and  the  altered  appearance 
of  his  outward  man,  when  he  got  out  of  the 
carriage  at  his  own  door,  led  his  wife  anx- 
iously to  ask,  "  Dear,  but  what  does  this 
mean?"  he  faintly  replied,  "the  waters 
have  developed  a  new  disease."  After  he 
was  seated    in    the  house    he    remarked, 


RE\^.  mCHARD  SLUYTER.  119 

**  This  is  the  man  who  has  been  called  ner- 
vous, hypochondriacal.  Is  there  not  dis- 
ease about  me  "/"  From  this  time  he  lin- 
gered on  in  constant  and  distressing  pain, 
which  neither  the  skill  of  ph}- sicians,  who 
did  not  fully  understand  the  nature  of  his 
disease,  nor  the  sympathy  and  kind  atten- 
tions of  his  famiJy  and  friends  had  power 
to  alleviate,  until  the  25th  of  July,  when 
he  departed  this  life.* 

The  progress  of  Mr.  Sluyter's  disease, 
until  its  termination  in  his  death,  has  now 
been  traced.  Meanwhile  he  was  a  great 
sufierer;  cried  out  on  one  occasion,  "  O, 
my  life  is  a  burden  to  me ;"  and  at  all 
times  might  have  appropriately  expressed 
himself  in  the  words  of  Job,  "  Have  pity 
upon  me,  have  piiy  upon  me,  O  ye  my 
friends,  for  the  hand  of  God  hatli  touched 
me."     But  how,  during  the  protracted  sea- 


^  A  post  iiiortein  examination  was  held,  which  showed 
that  "  the  disease  which  was  the  immediate  cause  of  his 
death,  was  a  scirrhus,  or  cancer  of  the  stomach,  extend- 
ing  over  every  part  of  it,  from  the  cardia  to  the  pylorus." 


120  MEMOIR  OF 

son  of  his  affliction,  did  he  bear  himself? 
Did  he  illustrate  in  practice  the  truth  which 
he  had  preached,  and  often  used  to  com- 
fort others,  when  he  found  himself  gradu- 
ally but  certainly  sinking  into  the  grave  ? 
Was  it  verified  in  him  that  "  patience 
worketh  experience  and  experience  hope  ?" 
and  did  he  "  rejoice  in  hope  of  the  glory 
of  God  *?"  Some,  as  they  read  over  the 
brief  record  of  his  life  and  labours,  may, 
in  advance  conclude  that  a  servant  of  God 
so  distinguished  for  his  fidelity  and  success, 
must  have  enjoyed  ver}^  special  manifesta- 
tions of  the  divine  presence  and  favour. 
Like  many  of  "  the  children  of  the  king- 
dom," however,  he  was  left  without  any- 
thing resembling  an  ecstacy  of  joy.  But 
though  indulged  with  no  transporting  vi- 
sions of  future  glory,  yet  he  was  permitted 
and  enabled  to  plant  himself  immoveably 
upon  the  "  Rock  of  Ages,"  and  confidently 
to  expect  that  he  would  say  to  him,  "  Come 
up  hither,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepar- 
ed for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world." 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  121 

When  first  he  ceased  from  his  labours, 
and  indeed  during  the  whole  winter,  he 
felt  much  solicitude  about  his  family,  and 
gave  himself  up  to  desponding  fears  as  it 
respected  the  means  necessary  to  their  com- 
fortable support.  In  reference  to  this  state 
of  feeling,  he  wrote  :  "  It  has  been  a  hard 
and  melancholy  winter  with  me,  and  one 
of  great  trial  in  regard  to  condition  and 
circumstances."  About  these  things  his 
concern  was  excessive,  and  while  it  lasted 
no  doubt  prejudicial  to  his  spiritual  peace. 
Hence,  until  it  was  removed,  there  con- 
tinued to  be  more  or  less  of  haze  thrown 
over  all  his  prospects  for  eternity.  He 
could  not  rise  to  "  assurance  of  hope"  re- 
specting them.  This  is  evident  from  the 
following  extract  of  a  letter  to  a  son-in- 
law.  He  remarks :  "In  respect  to  our 
moral  state,  it  is  a  truth  well  established  in 
the  experience  of  all  the  Lord's  people 
that  they  know  not  how  little  faith  they 
have,  until  they  are  tried.  When  the  can- 
dle of  the  Lord  shines  upon  our  head,  or 
we  enjoy  days  of  worldly  prosperity,  we 
11 


122  MEMOIR   OF 

fancy  that  our  mountain  stands  strong,  and 
that  by  his  light  thus  enjoyed,  we  can 
walk  through  darkness  ;  but  when  dark- 
ness comes,  we  find  that  we  need  some- 
thing more  illuminating  than  the  sparks 
which  we  have  kindled,  and  by  which  we 
have  compassed  ourselves  about.  Even 
the  believer,  in  the  near  prospect  of  death 
and  judgment,  has  nothing  whereof  to 
glory,  but  much  to  fear,  lest  a  promise 
being  left  him  of  entering  into  God's  rest, 
he  should  even  seem  to  come  short  of  it. 
I  found  this  to  be  emphatically  my  case. 
Although  the  Lord's  promises  are  exceed- 
ing great  and  precious,  yet  they  must  be 
received — of  their  truth  we  must  be  per- 
suaded. They  must  be  embraced  and 
rested  on,  or  it  cannot  be  said  that 
our  '  faith  is  the  substance  of  things 
hoped  for,  and  the  evidence  of  things  not 
seen.'  Afflictions  and  troubles  lead  us 
to  the  reflex  act  of  faith — a  looking  back 
upon  former  experience,  to  see  all  the  ex- 
ercises of  our  first  love,  and  to  examine 
ourselves  indeed,  whether  we  are  in  the 


REV.  RICHARD  SLUYTER.  123 

faith.  No  direct  exercise  of  faith  can  be 
comfortable,  unless  it  grow  out  of  the  re- 
flex act  as  its  root  and  source.  So  far 
as  it  relates  to  my  own  case,  I  think  that 
all  things  are  well  in  view  of  my  accept- 
ance with  God,  although  I  am  not  un soli- 
citous about  it,  but  aim  to  press  toward 
the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling 
of  God.  I  know  that  the  righteous  will 
be  but  scarcely  saved,  and  why  should  I 
vaunt  myself  in  an  assurance  which  sa- 
vours not  of  things  that  be  of  God,  but 
those  that  be  of  men  ?  My  great  concern 
has  been  about  my  dependent  family, 
should  I  be  taken  from  them  ;  but  I  do 
most  confidently  trust  them  to  the  guidance 
of  a  merciful  and  righteous  providence, 
relying  implicitly  upon  those  of  them  who 
have  come  to  years  of  maturity  to  be  an 
example  and  advisers  to  the  rest." 

As,  however,  Mr.  Sluyter  drew  nearer 
to  his  end,  his  confidence  in  the  gracious 
promises  of  God  to  the  widow  and  the  fa- 
therless waxed  stronger  ;  and  he  intimated 
that  his  great  distress  in  behalf  of  his  fa- 


Ifi         '       .  i  MEMOIR  OF 

mily  had  entirely  passed  away.  His 
views  respecting  his  own  interest  in  Christ 
also  became  more  clear,  and  he  spake 
confidently  of  having  "in  heaven  a  better 
and  an  enduring  substance."  A  few  days 
before  his  death  he  entered  upon  a  con- 
versation with  his  wife  respecting  his  ex- 
pected speedy  separation  from  her,  the 
increased  cares  and  responsibilities  which, 
in  consequence,  would  devolve  upon  her, 
in  reference  to  the  younger  children  ;  his 
concern  for  his  family  ;  what  he  thought 
was  due  to  them  from  the  church  for  his  de- 
votion to  its  interests.  When  she  asked  him 
if  he  had  any  anxiety  about  himself,  he  re- 
plied, "  O,  my  dear,  I  have  no  anxiety  in 
regard  to  myself;  the  interests  of  my  soul 
have  been  secured  long  ago."  Then  he 
added :  "  How  much  do  I  owe  to  so- 
vereign grace,  which  arrested  me  when  a 
young  man,  in  my  course  of  folly.  Let  us 
magnify  the  grace  which  not  only  saved 
me,  but  honoured  me,  by  placing  me  in 
the  gospel  vineyard  to  save  others.  I 
might  have  pursued  a  profession  (that  of 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  125 

medicine)  in  which  I  might  have  laid  up 
a  patrimony  for  my  fami]}^  but  I  rejoice 
now  that  I  have  spent  my  time  on  earth 
as  I  have." 

On  the  Thursday  preceding  his  death, 
he  took  a  formal  leave  of  the  children  who 
were  then  at  home  ;  counselled  and  ad- 
monished them  individually  ;  recommend- 
ed them  to  go  to  the  Saviour  for  help,  to 
do  what  he  had  enjoined  upon  them,  and 
gave  them  his  blessing.  In  the  course  of 
his  remarks  on  this  occasion,  with  evident 
emotion  he  said,  *'  It  is  painful  to  leave  a 
helpless  family,  but  for  me  to  die  will  be 
gain."  When  to  console  him,  his  wife 
reminded  him  that  it  is  written,  "  Leave 
your  fatherless  children,  I  w^ill  preserve 
them  alive ;  and  let  thy  widows  trust  in 
me ;"  and  that  she  could  plead  the  pro- 
mises w4iich  have  respect  to  the  fatherless 
and  widows,  he  said,  "  Yes,  but  I  fear 
your  faith  will  fail  you  when  you  are  call- 
ed to  put  it  into  exercise.  It  is  easier  to 
talk  of  what  you  can  do  at  my  side,  than 
to  do  it  when  you  are  left  alone  in  the 
11* 


MEMOIR  OP 

world:  and  these  children,  they  are  not 
in  personal  covenant  possession  of  these 
promises."  Then  addressing  them,  he 
said,  "  You  must  seek  a  covenant  right 
yourselves  to  them." 

On  the  next  day,  from  12  o'clock,  a.  m. 
his  sufferings  were  excruciating,  and  it 
was  supposed  that  he  was  in  his  death 
struggle.  Then  was  seen  the  triumph  of 
grace  over  nature.  Though  naturally  im- 
patient and  irritable  in  sickness,  yet  now 
he  "  let  patience  have  her  perfect  work." 
Not  a  murmur  escaped  his  lips,  when,  to 
get  relief  from  pain,  he  was  in  constant 
motion,  either  changing  his  position,  or 
walking  across  the  room  leaning  on  his 
two  eldest  sons,  and  occasionally  exclaim- 
ing, "  O,  my  boys,  I  am  a  great  trouble  to 
you."  Once,  and  only  once,  *'  being  in 
an  agony,"  he  piteously  asked,  *'  O,  where 
shall  rest  be  found  ?"  and  when  his  wife 
responded,  "  Rest  is  found ;  it  is  only 
your  body  that  is  wearied  with  pain,"  he 
quickly  said,  "  yes,  yes." 

On  the  Sabbath,  the  Rev.  John  Grey, 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  127 

of  Schodack,  preached  to  his  people  ;  and 
when  he  called  upon  Mr.  Sluyter  and  in- 
quired respecting  his  spiritual  interests, 
he  answered,  *'  O,  brother  Grey,  those 
interests  were  secured  long  ago.  It  is  a 
poor  time  to  make  our  peace  with  God  in 
a  dying  hour,  and  a  death-bed  is  a  poor 
place  to  begin  such  a  work." 

On  Monday  evening  his  children  from 
Buffalo  arrived.  He  expressed,  himself 
glad  to  see  them,  and  after  a  few  brief  in- 
quiries about  them  and  their  family,  he 
said,  *' I  cannot  talk  to  you  to-night,  to- 
morrow I  will."  But  he  conversed  with 
them  no  more.  He  was  then  finishing  the 
last  day  of  his  pilgrimage  on  earth ;  and 
v/hen  early  on  Tuesday  morning  his  chil- 
dren were  aroused  from  their  slumbers, 
and  summoned  to  his  dying  bed,  he  had 
lost  the  power  of  speech,  and  could  onl}*- 
by  a  nod  signify  his  recognition  of  them. 
It  was  thus  also  that  he  replied  affirm- 
atively to  his  wife's  inquiry,  "  Is  it 
peace  ?"  Then  followed  "  a  little  gasp- 
ing," and  the  work  of  death  was  accom- 


128  MEMOIR   OF 

plished.  The  tears  and  sobs  of  his  family, 
which  before  he  had  requested  might  nei- 
ther be  shed  nor  heard  in  his  presence, 
now  moved  him  not ;  and  doubtless  if  his 
departing  spirit  could  have  been  permit- 
ted to  pause  in  its  heavenward  flight  to 
speak  to  the  mourners,  he  would  have  ad- 
dressed them  in  the  words  of  Christ  to 
the  daughters  of  Jerusalem — "  Weep  not 
for  me,  but  weep  for  yourselves  and  for 
your  children." 

The  history  of  Mr.  Sluyter's  life  and 
labours  has  now  been  traced  to  its  con- 
clusion. It  is  necessarily  imperfect,  from 
the  want  of  materials  to  do  full  justice  to 
it ;  3^et  it  is  believed  that  a  faithful  outline 
of  it  is  given.  From  this,  something  like 
a  just  estimate  of  Mr.  Sluyter  may  be 
formed.  He  made  no  pretensions  to  being 
faultless,  and  a  claim  to  this  effect  has  not 
been  set  up  in  his  behalf.  He  was  descend- 
ed from  parents  whose  respectability  and 
moral  worth  are  unquestionable,  and,  as  a 
son  and  brother,  was  dutiful  and  affection- 
ate, and  contributed  effectually  toward  the 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  129 

comforts  and  pleasures  of  the  family  cir- 
cle. As  a  man,  in  person  and  in  the 
qualities  which  in  the  domestic  and  social 
relations  throw  a  charm  around  their  pos- 
sessor, he  was  distinguished  above  many. 
As  a  husband  and  father,  he  had  enlarged 
views  of  the  nature  and  extent  of  his  du- 
ties, and  conscientiously  endeavoured  to 
discharge  them.  As  a  Christian,  his  piety 
was  genuine,  intelligent,  fervent  and  con- 
trolling in  its  influence  over  his  feelings, 
his  purposes  and  his  acts.  As  a  preacher  of 
the  gospel,  his  attainments,  both  in  extent 
and  variety,  were  such  as  enabled  him  to 
hold  a  respectable  position  in  the  Church 
of  Christ,  and  to  be  useful  to  a  degree 
which  falls  to  the  lot  of  comparatively  few 
of  his  brethren.  "  In  labours,"  he  was 
"  abundant,"  and  in  fidelity,  both  to  God, 
who  had  called  him  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  and  to  the  people,  whose  "  ser- 
vant for  Jesus*  sake"  he  became,  he  was 
eminent.  He  "  shunned  not  to  declare 
the  whole  counsel  of  God."  Meantime, 
with  his  fidehty  he  blended  affectionate 


130  MEMOIR  OF 

tenderness  in  his  address,  and  earnestness 
in  his  manner.     As  the  colleague  of  the 
venerable    Gebhard,    he    "  honoured    the 
head  of  the   old   man,"    and    studiously 
avoided  those  things  which  might  prevent 
an  interchange  of  sympathy  and  counsel 
in  their  united  efforts  to  "  fulfil  the  whole 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry."   As  a  pastor, 
he  had  rare  qualifications.    He  could  enter 
into  the    spirit   of  the  apostle's  words — 
"  llejoice   with  them  that  do  rejoice,  and 
weep   with  them  that  weep."     Whether 
he  *'  sat  as  a  comforter  of  the  mourners," 
or  sympathized  with  the  afflicted,  or  point- 
ed  anxious   inquirers  to  Jesus  Christ,  or 
exhorted  Christians  to  *'  give  diligence  to 
make  their  calling  and  election  sure,"  or 
warned  the  careless,  slumbering  sinner  of 
his  danger,  and  urged  him  to  "  flee  from 
the  wrath  which  is  to  come,"  he  seldom 
failed  to  commend  himself  and  his   dis- 
course to  each  of  them.     In  the  death  of 
Mr.    Sluyter,  therefore,    society    and    the 
church,  as  well  as  his  family,  sustained  a 


REV.    RICHARD    SLUYTER.  131 

loss,   which,   if  it  be  not   irreparable,   is 
assuredly  not  easily  made  good. 


The  following  extract  from  the  minutes 
of  the  Classis  of  Rensselaer,  of  which,  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  Mr.  Sluyter  was 
the  oldest  member,  will  show  the  estima- 
tion in  which  he  was  held  by  his  brethren 
of  the  Classis. 

"  Whereas  it  has  pleased  Almighty  God 
to  remove  by  death  our  beloved  brother, 
the  Rev.  Richard  Sluyter;  this  Classis 
deem  it  due  to  the  memory  of  one  so  long 
associated  with  us  in  the  counsels  and 
labours  of  the  church,  to  record  our  affec- 
tionate remembrance  of  his  varied  excel- 
lencies as  a  man,  a  Christian,  and  a  minis- 
ter. While  considering  his  removal,  in  the 
maturity  of  his  powers,  as  a  calamity  to 
the  Church  of  God,  (although  to  him  great 
gain,)  they  bow  in  humble  acquiescence  to 
the  will  of  God,  and  are  consoled  by  the 


132  MEMOIR. 

assurance  that  our  departed  brother  will, 
by  the  Faithful  and  True  Witness,  be 
numbered  with  those  who  turned  many  to 
righteousness,  and  shall  shine  as  stars  for 
ever  and  ever. 

Resolved,  That  this  Classis  sympathize 
with  the  afflicted  relict  and  her  fatherless 
children,  in  the  bereavement  they  have 
suffered,  in  the  removal  of  a  kind  and 
affectionate  husband  and  parent. 

Resolved,  That  the  stated  clerk  be  di- 
rected to  transmit  a  copy  of  the  above 
resolutions  to  the  family  of  the  deceased, 
and  forward  this  report  for  publication  in 
the  Christian  Intelligencer. 

Attest, 

A.  N.  Kittle,  Stated  Cleric, 


END 


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